Cybertruck bomber was counter-terrorist Green Beret soldier

The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day was a highly decorated counter-terrorism Green Beret soldier who was deployed twice to Afghanistan.

Matthew Livelsberger has been named locally as the driver of the electric vehicle that blew up in the valet area outside the Trump International Hotel.

Livelsberger is believed to have rented the Cybertruck from Turo, a car leasing service, before packing it with firework-like mortars, camping fuel and canisters.

The 37-year-old from Colorado served in the Green Berets, highly trained special forces that work to fight terrorism overseas 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 in overseas assignments, deployed to Afghanistan and also served in Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia and Congo.

Livelsberger was awarded two Bronze Stars, including one with a valor for courage under fire, a combat infantry badge and an Army Commendation Medal with valor. He was on authorized leave when he died, according to the affidavit.

Via TMZ | Alcides Antunes

He was serving in Germany but was on leave in Colorado at the time of the attack, sources told CBS. A relative told the broadcaster they were not aware of his involvement in the incident, but confirmed he had rented a Cybertruck. His wife had not heard from him for several days.

Reports indicate he had several addresses in Colorado Springs, at least one of which was raided by the FBI Wednesday night.

Authorities are investigating a possible link between Livelsberger and Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the terrorist behind the New Orleans car attack that killed 15 people on New Year’s Eve.

Both Livelsberger and Jabber spent time at the Army base formerly known as Fort Bragg in North Carolina, which is home to several Army special operations units. However, one of the officials who spoke to the AP said there was no overlap in their duties at the base, now called Fort Liberty.

Jabbar, whose Ford truck was transporting a homemade flag from the Islamic State (IS).also rented the vehicle with Turo.

A Turo spokesman said the company is “actively cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate both incidents,” adding: “We do not believe any of the tenants involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background, that would have identified them as a security threat.

“We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards in risk management, thanks to our world-class trust and security technologies and teams that include experienced former law enforcement professionals.”

Sheriff Kevin McMahill, of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said authorities know who rented the truck in Colorado but are not releasing the name until investigators determine if it was the same person who died.

Law enforcement officials believe Jabbar did not act alone, although it is unclear if the pair crossed paths during their time in the military.

“We are absolutely investigating any connection to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks that have occurred around the world,” McMahill said. “We are not ruling anything out.”

The explosion in Las Vegas is believed to have killed Livelsberger and injured seven others. Posts on Facebook suggest he was a Trump supporter and fireworks enthusiast who once compared firework displays to “the sounds of battle”.

Officials with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and Clark County Fire Department said one person died inside the futuristic-looking pickup truck, which remained largely intact.

Officials are also likely to consider whether Livelsberger deliberately chose a car made by Elon Musk, given the billionaire’s relationship with Donald Trumpthe future US president.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, authorities were still working to remove the body from the vehicle and begin processing the evidence inside.

Joe Biden, the US president, was briefed on the explosion. Musk said the explosion is “likely an act of terrorism,” adding in a statement: “We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself .

“All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”

Credit: X / kaaaassuu

Police are treating the explosion as possibly criminal or an act of terrorism until a motive is determined.

Meanwhile, details of Jabbar’s background have begun to emerge, including his life as a real estate agent, his divorce and his financial problems.

The FBI said he was believed to have been honorably discharged, and the Pentagon is said to be examining his records to find more information about his services and where he had been based.

In a video believed to have been posted by the Texas-born terrorist on YouTube, he said he worked for both the Midas Group and Blue Meadow Properties. He also said he was born in Beaumont, Texas, but was then based in Houston.

“I’ve been here my whole life, with the exception of traveling for the military where I spent 10 years as a human resources and IT specialist,” Jabbar said.

He said he “learned the meaning of good service and what it means to be responsive and take everything seriously, dotting the ices and crossing the Ts to make sure things run smoothly”.

Credit: YouTube/Shamsud-Din Jabbar

He was in significant financial difficulty because he owed more than $27,000 in late home payments and was at risk of foreclosure, he said, and he had taken on $16,000 in credit card debt due to his living expenses.

Criminal records reported by The New York Times showed that Jabbar had two prior convictions for minor offenses — one in 2002 for theft and another in 2005 for driving with an invalid license.

Dwayne Marsh, the husband of Jabbar’s ex-wife, said Jabbar had started converting to Islam within the last year and was going “crazy.”

The attacks have led to increased security in major cities across the United States, including New York. Eric Adams, New York’s mayor, wrote on X, said there would be increased security around Trump Tower and Times Square.

He said: “While there are no immediate threats to our city at this time, out of an abundance of caution we have increased security and have increased NYPD presence in appropriate locations.”

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