Matthew Livelsberger, an active U.S. army soldier and a member of an elite army unit called The Green Beret, killed himself in a Tesla Cybertruck explosion that occurred outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas on the morning of New Year’s Day, according to an ABC news article from Jan. 4. Authorities believe that the explosives in the car were connected to a detonation system controlled by the driver in the Cybertruck.
Levelsbeger’s motive remains unclear, though authorities are speculating that it was a suicide mission that was meant to bring attention to the metal health of veterans. Investigators have determined that Livelsberger shot himself with a gun before the explosion, according to an ABC news article from Jan. 4. Authorities have not deemed the explosion a terrorist attack because it was not strong enough to kill multiple people and the perpetrator was the only victim killed. Many believe that if Livelsberger’s intention had been to conduct a legitimate terrorist attack, he would have been able to due to his military experience. In addition, Livelsberger left behind a series of recorded messages stating that he wanted the attack to be a wake-up call. Evidence shows that Livelsberger was thoroughly prepared before detonating the explosion and that he was the only one involved. He was not on the FBI’s radar prior to the action.
Livelsberger used ChatGPT to research information on explosive targets, the speed at which certain rounds of ammunition would travel and whether fireworks were legal in Arizona, according to an AP news article from Jan. 7.
Spencer Evans is the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas division and is one of the heads of the investigation.
“Although this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who was struggling with PTSD and other issues,” Evans said, according to an ABC news article from Jan. 4.
Photo credit: Tesla Cybertruck by Mr. choppers is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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