A Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosive materials erupted into flames early Wednesday morning outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the vehicle’s driver and injuring seven others nearby. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack, though no definitive motive has been established.
The Incident
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m., just 15 seconds after the Cybertruck arrived at the porte cochère of the Trump International Hotel. Firework mortars and camp fuel canisters were found in the truck’s bed, which officials believe were the source of the blast. Video footage presented at an evening press conference by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department showed the moment of the explosion, confirming that the driver died on spot. Seven others suffered minor injuries.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill described the explosion as suspicious but stated that initial findings suggest the event was an isolated incident. “We do know who rented this truck,” McMahill said, declining to name the deceased driver.
The Cybertruck had been rented in Colorado through the car-sharing app Turo, the same company used to rent the pickup truck involved in a deadly New Orleans attack hours earlier. Turo confirmed its cooperation with law enforcement in both investigations.
Details of the Investigation
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is also an advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, assisted authorities by providing vehicle telemetry and video footage from Tesla charging stations. This data helped investigators trace the Cybertruck’s route to Las Vegas. Musk emphasized on social media that the explosion was not caused by the vehicle itself but by the materials it was carrying.
“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,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities credited the Cybertruck’s robust design for containing the blast and directing it upward, limiting the damage. “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack,” Musk stated. “Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.”
Connections to New Orleans Attack
The Las Vegas explosion occurred just hours after a rented pickup truck drove into crowds in New Orleans, killing 15 and injuring 35. Both vehicles were rented via Turo, raising questions about a possible connection between the two events. However, McMahill confirmed that no direct ties to ISIS or any other terrorist organization have been established in the Las Vegas case.
“We believe this is an isolated incident,” said Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s investigation.
Heightened Security Measures
The explosion has prompted heightened security at Trump properties nationwide. In New York City, police expanded the security perimeter around Trump Tower, while Chicago authorities confirmed additional measures at the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
In a statement shared by Eric Trump on X, the Trump Organization acknowledged the incident: “A reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.”
While the explosion outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas is under intense investigation, authorities have yet to determine a clear motive or connection to broader terrorist activities. The use of fireworks and fuel canisters highlights the potential for unconventional attack methods, underscoring the importance of vigilance and robust security measures.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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