Investigation into Cybertruck Explosion
An investigation has been launched into a possible terror attack on a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump’s Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. According to three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter, the incident is being looked at as intentional.
Two senior law enforcement officials involved in the investigation confirmed that the explosion was indeed deliberate. The explosion tragically resulted in one fatality and seven injuries, with the deceased individual being the driver of the Cybertruck. Notably, officials have stated that they do not believe this incident is linked to the vehicle ramming attack that occurred in New Orleans.
Motive and Renter Details
As of now, authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the Cybertruck explosion. The vehicle was rented from the same rental company that facilitated the truck used in the New Orleans incident. However, the individual who rented the Cybertruck has not been publicly named.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a top advisor to Trump, emphasized that the explosion had nothing to do with the vehicle itself. He clarified that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck. Musk assured that all vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.
Response from Car-Sharing Company and Officials
Car-sharing company Turo expressed being “heartbroken” by the violence in both New Orleans and Las Vegas involving rental vehicles. The company is actively cooperating with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents. Turo emphasized that the renters involved in these attacks did not have criminal backgrounds that would have identified them as security threats.
A county spokeswoman stated that the fire at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas was reported at 8:40 a.m. At a news conference, Jeremy Schwartz, the acting FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Las Vegas office, admitted that there are still many unanswered questions regarding the incident.
Eric Trump, son of the president-elect and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, commended the fire department and local law enforcement for their rapid response and professionalism. The 64-story hotel is located near the Las Vegas Strip and the Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall, adding to the gravity of the situation.
