By GERMANIA RODRIGUEZ POLEO, US CHIEF REPORTER.
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The suspected terrorist who drove a Tesla packed with explosives to the Trump lodge in Las Vegas shot himself in the head before the Cybertruck exploded, authorities 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 Thursday.
Police found credit cards, his passport and a military ID on him, but are still referring to him as a person of interest while they wait for DNA confirmation.
The weapons found in the truck were acquired legally on December 30, 2024.
Police are still searching for a motive for the attack.
Sheriff McMahill addressed similarities between the terrorist act in Las Vegas and that in New Orleans carried out by Texas native Shamsud-din Jabbar, 42, who waved an ISIS flag while massacring 14 and injuring dozens with a truck rented.
They both served at the same military base in North Carolina, but officials don’t know if they ever crossed paths. Additionally, both also served in Afghanistan in 2009; However, officials say they have seen no evidence that 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 that 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 lodge in Las Vegas.
Livelsberger was identified through his tattoos, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Thursday.
Police found credit cards, his passport and a military ID on him, but are still referring to him as a person of interest while they wait for DNA confirmation.
“This is just another danger this country faces because it has been negligent in matters of national security and groups like this have been emboldened,” Homan said.
‘I think you’ll find that they have both recently traveled abroad. “They were both inspired by ISIS,” he said.
While the New Orleans suspect flew an ISIS flag and declared his alliance with the terrorist group, police have so far found no evidence that Livelsberger was in any way connected to Islamic terrorism.
The FBI said Thursday that it believes Jabbar acted alone, reversing its position from the previous day that he likely worked with others.
Livelsberger served in the Green Berets, highly trained special forces that work to counter terrorism abroad and train their partners, the Army said in a statement.
He had served in the Army since 2006, rising through the ranks with a long career in overseas assignments, deploying twice to Afghanistan and serving in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo, the Army said.
Livelsberger received two bronze stars, including one with a valor under fire badge, a combat infantry badge and an Army Commendation Medal for valor. Livelsberger was on approved leave when he died, according to the statement.
