The past December 29Army veteran and active Special Forces soldier, Matthew Livelsbergercarried out a tragic act in vegas. The accused exploded a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with explosives in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel before allegedly taking his own life with a gunshot to the head.
The explosion left seven people injured with minor injuries and generated an intense operation by the authorities, including FBI investigations. Livelsberger, 37 yearsfound in this futuristic vehicle a medium that seemed to reflect his mental state in the days before the incident.
According to text messages obtained by The Denver Gazettethe soldier contacted his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Arrittthe same day of renting the Cybertruck through the Turo platform.
“Rent a Cybertruck. “It’s the best,” he would have written. Livelsbergerwho also compared the vehicle to the style of a superhero. “I feel like Batman or Halo”he wrote referring to the DC Comics character and the famous video game.
Livelsberger In this way, she resumed contact with Arritt, with whom she had not spoken since 2021. The young woman stated that she was surprised since since their separation, the Green Beret got married and had a daughter.
The Denver Gazette obtained said messages after the events, confirming that these exchanges occurred just days after he left his home in Colorado Springs after a confrontation with his wife over alleged infidelity.
The direction taken by Livelsberger towards Nevada seems to have been planned with a certain strategy, according to sources cited by the New York Post. In the vehicle were materials such as mortar-type fireworks, camping fuel and several cans, elements used to create the explosion.
An official FBI spokesperson said that the agency is investigating whether the motive behind the act was political in nature as it occurred in front of a hotel owned by the former president. Donald Trump and since it is a vehicle produced by Teslaa brand associated with the businessman Elon Muska well-known Trump ally.
Those who knew the attacker question possible reasons behind this violent event. Arritt, who shared a previous relationship with him, expressed her bewilderment in statements to The Denver Gazette.
“I don’t understand why he did it.”adding that he conceived of him as a “conservative” person. Furthermore, he described it as “the kindest man” that he had known, remembering a gesture of his towards his sick mother when buying her a new house.
Livelsberger had left his house on December 26after what is described as a post-Christmas confrontation with his wife. According to sources consulted by The New York Postshe would have recriminated him directly after discovering evidence that he was unfaithful to her. From that moment on, the soldier decided to rent the Tesla Cybertruck to undertake his trip to Las Vegas, leaving his family behind.
Authorities identified the suspect’s body, who suffered severe burns, through his passport and his military identification found inside the vehicle. Although survivors of the incident only reported minor injuries, the emotional impact and magnitude of the event have generated exhaustive analysis by authorities and the media.
According to an unidentified informant consulted by The New York PostLivelsberger—a fervent patriot with a “Rambo-like” image—may have chosen this car model specifically to minimize potential civilian casualties, given its rugged design.
Despite these data, more questions arise than answers about what led this veteran to such a dramatic outcome. In one of his last messages exchanged with Arritt, Livelsberger talked about his work, far from giving any indication of his plan. “I’m building drones in my new position,” he said, adding casually: “You would love it”.
