Crime
Las Vegas Cybertruck bombing suspect Matthew Livelsberger spotted at a Tesla charging station
Las Vegas, NV – Newly released video footage and messages have shed light on the suspect behind the New Year’s Day Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Authorities have identified the bomber as Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty soldier from Colorado Springs, whose motivations, captured in chilling messages, reflect a disturbing narrative.
Surveillance footage shows Livelsberger stopping at a Tesla charging station en route to Las Vegas. Investigators tracked his movements from Colorado, through New Mexico, Arizona, and finally Nevada, utilizing data from Tesla charging stations after he rented the Cybertruck through Turo in Denver on December 28.
Messages Left by Livelsberger
Authorities released excerpts of messages left by Livelsberger, which appear to outline his rationale for the attack:
- “Fellow Servicemembers, Veterans, and all Americans, TIME TO WAKE UP!”
- “We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves.”
- “This was not a terrorist attack; it was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?”
- “Why did I personally do it now? I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.”
The explosion occurred in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on the morning of New Year’s Day. The blast killed Livelsberger, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and injured several others. According to the Clark County coroner, Livelsberger’s body was “burnt beyond recognition,” complicating initial identification efforts.
Forensic investigators uncovered Livelsberger’s military IDs, passport, and multiple firearms within the remains of the vehicle.
The bombing followed closely on the heels of a New Orleans truck attack, where 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar rammed a truck into a crowd in the French Quarter, killing at least 15 people.
These back-to-back incidents prompted heightened security across Las Vegas, with LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill announcing increased patrols along the Las Vegas Strip and downtown areas.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) will hold a press briefing at 1 p.m. on Friday at police headquarters. Sheriff McMahill is expected to provide updates on the investigation.
This tragic and harrowing incident has reignited discussions about public safety, extremism, and the mental health challenges faced by veterans. The investigation is ongoing.
MEMPHIS, TN – A mass shooting in South Memphis on Wednesday afternoon left two people dead and three others critically injured following a violent exchange of gunfire inside a residence near LeMoyne-Owen College.
The shooting occurred at a home on College Park Drive, just yards away from the LeMoyne-Owen College campus and in close proximity to a daycare and tutoring facility.
Emergency responders arrived to find five victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while another succumbed to their injuries at Regional One Health.
One victim has been identified as Leon Parker.
The three remaining victims were transported to local hospitals in critical condition.
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded swiftly, with multiple squad cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and crime scene vans lining the street for hours. MPD Chief C.J. Davis and other top officials were present as the investigation unfolded.
Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from an altercation inside the home that escalated into gunfire.
“There was some type of disturbance inside the residence that led to an exchange of gunfire,” said Lt. Louis Brownlee, an MPD spokesperson.
Police have confirmed that all individuals involved in the shooting have been identified, and the violence appears to have been contained within the residence. However, the motive for the shooting remains unclear, and it has not been determined who fired the first shots or whether any of the survivors will face charges.
Shortly after the shooting, LeMoyne-Owen College issued a statement clarifying that the incident did not involve any students, faculty, or staff and occurred off-campus.
“LeMoyne-Owen College remains fully operational following reports of an off-campus incident near 948 College Park Drive. The incident did not involve or impact LeMoyne-Owen College students, faculty, or staff, and there are no lockdowns or alerts in place at this time,” the college’s statement read.
Dr. Dunn-Ross, Chief Operating Officer of LeMoyne-Owen College, emphasized the college’s commitment to safety:
“The safety and well-being of our campus community is always our top priority. We are aware of the situation and in communication with local authorities. At this time, there is no threat to our campus, and operations will continue as normal.”
As of now, MPD has not provided further details on the cause of the altercation or whether any arrests have been made. The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement.