By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-02 19:41:39 | Updated at 2025-01-05 03:09:46
2 days ago
The suspected terrorist who drove a Tesla filled with explosives to the Trump hotel in Las Vegas shot himself in the head before the Cybertruck blew up, officials revealed.
The body of decorated Green Beret Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was burned beyond recognition in the explosion and was identified through his tattoos, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said on Thursday.
Police found credit cards, his passport and military ID on him, but they are still referring to him as a person of interest as they await DNA confirmation.
The weapons found in the truck were purchased legally on December 30, 2024.
Police are still looking for a motive for the attack.
Sheriff McMahill addressed similarities between the terror act in Vegas and the one in New Orleans by Texas native Shamsud-din Jabbar, 42, who flew an ISIS flag as he slaughtered 14 and injured dozens with a rented truck.
Both served at the same military base in North Carolina, but officials do not know if they ever crossed paths. Moreover, both also served in Afghanistan in 2009 - however officials say they have seen no evidence they were in the same providence or unit. That remains under investigation.
It comes as Donald Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan said both men were 'on a suicide mission' and theorized Livelsberger was also inspired by ISIS.
The body of Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was burned beyond recognition after he apparently blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas
Livelsberger was identified through his tattoos, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said on Thursday
Police found credit cards, his passport and military ID on him, but they are still referring to him as a person of interest as they await DNA confirmation
'This is just another danger this country faces because this country has been lax on national security and groups like this have been emboldened,' Homan claimed.
'I think you’re going to find they both have recent and foreign travel. They were both inspired by ISIS,' he said.
While the New Orleans suspect flew an ISIS flag and declared his alliance to the terrorist group, police so far have found no evidence that Livelsberger was connected to Islamic terrorism in any way.
Livelsberger served in the Green Berets, highly trained special forces who work to counter terrorism abroad and train partners, the Army said in a statement.
He had served in the Army since 2006, rising through the ranks with a long career of overseas assignments, deploying twice to Afghanistan and serving in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo, the Army said.
