Matthew Livelsberger, the driver who died when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded near Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, had no ill will towards US President-elect Donald Trump, the federal bureau of investigation announced Friday. The agency said that Livelsberger likely suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The explosion, which occurred this week, resulted in minor injuries to seven people. The suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was an active-duty Army soldier from Colorado Springs.
“The subject held no animosity towards the president-elect,” Spencer Evans, Las Vegas FBI agent, said in a press briefing.
Earlier, a Daily Beast report said that Livelsberger was a strong Trump supporter. A senior law enforcement official, after speaking with his family, revealed to the outlet that he had cast his vote for Trump in November’s election.
‘He was suffering from PTSD’
The FBI official further noted that investigators had found Livelsberger was suffering from PTSD and dealing with family issues.
“Investigative steps have discovered and information of the Army indicates that he likely suffered from PTSD, and we’re also aware that there were potential other family issues or personal grievances in his own life that may have been contributing factors,” the official added.
He continued that it appeared to be a “tragic case of suicide.”
No connection to New Orleans truck attack
The FBI reiterated that there is no established connection between this incident and a separate truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that resulted in multiple fatalities.
“There is no evidence that these two events are connected,” he added.
Livelsberger shot himself before explosion
Livelsberger’s body was found inside the burned Tesla, which had exploded due to fireworks he purchased during his journey from Colorado to Las Vegas. Authorities confirmed his identity through a DNA sample provided by a family member. Police aid that Livelsberger had shot himself before the truck explosion.
Metropolitan police department sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters that a self-inflicted gunshot wound was found on Livelsberger’s head, and a gun was recovered from the wrecked vehicle. The body was severely burned and unrecognizable. Authorities said that Livelsberger acted alone.
Police were able to trace Livelsberger’s movements in the days leading up to the incident using surveillance footage and data retrieved from the Tesla vehicle. Authorities said Livelsberger rented the Tesla Cybertruck through the Turo mobile app in Colorado on December 28 and drove it more than 800 miles to Las Vegas. During this time, he legally purchased two firearms, which were later found inside the vehicle.
