Investigators have not yet determined why an active-duty U.S. Army soldier rented a Tesla Cybertruck and drove it to the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, but they believe he shot himself in the head before the vehicle exploded on New Year's Day. It will be done.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill has identified Matthew Libersberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo., as a person of interest in the case, but is not 100% sure he is the suspect until a DNA match is made. I don't mean to say that. The remains of the body that was in the Cybertruck with Libersberger.
Around 8:40 a.m., a truck was seen arriving at the hotel's valet entrance and stopping. Seventeen seconds later, the vehicle exploded and the sound of fireworks could be heard coming from the bulletproof truck.
McMahill said the truck was loaded with camping fuel and gasoline, along with fireworks. The explosion did not cause any damage to the truck, other than the glass and bed cover, the sheriff said.
FBI identifies suspect in terrorist act after Bourbon Street attack
Flames erupt from a Tesla Cybertruck that explodes outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in January 2025. (Alcides Antunes/via Reuters)
He also said the hotel's glass doors were not damaged, but seven people nearby suffered minor injuries.
Although the subject's body was charred beyond recognition, McMahill also said the subject suffered a gunshot wound to the head before the explosion, and a handgun was found near his feet in the car.
McMahill did not say that Libersberger was on a suicide mission, but did go so far as to say that it was “suicide by immediate subsequent explosion.”
Who is Matthew Reibsberger? What we know about the Tesla Cybertruck explosion suspect
Matthew Livelesberger in photos. (Fox News)
On Thursday, FBI agents searched Libersberger's home in Colorado Springs, trying to determine his motives and how he ended up in Las Vegas.
“We definitely know there is a bombing, and it's certainly a bombing that has elements that are concerning,” FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said at a Thursday news conference. “We're not wrong that it's in front of President Trump's building and that it's a Tesla, but we don't have any information to definitively tell you at this point… it's not this particular ideology or what's behind it. It was for some reason.”
The Associated Press reported that Libersberger had recently returned from overseas duty in Germany and was on approved leave at the time of his death, according to U.S. officials.
Law enforcement officials also said Libersberger may have gotten into an argument with his wife over marital issues shortly before renting the Tesla and legally purchasing the handgun found in the truck. told the Telegraph that they had learned this through interviews. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.
Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, 1 killed, 7 injured: police
Matthew Livelesberger poses in an undated photo. (Fox News)
Leiblesberger was briefly married to 38-year-old Sara Leiblesberger of Delray Beach, Florida. denver post They announced that they divorced in 2018 and remarried in 2022.
In a 2016 Facebook post, Sarah said she was a registered Democrat and shared an image disparaging President-elect Trump.
Libersberger lives in Colorado but also has ties to Ohio.
Libersberger received a speeding ticket in September 2011 in Franklin County for driving 110 mph in a 65 mph zone, the Ohio Columbus Dispatch reported.
Bomb disposal experts solve Cybertruck explosion case
Investigators are looking into the contents of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department press conference)
Libersberger had an address in Westerville, the newspaper said. He also owns property in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, according to property records obtained by the Columbus Dispatch.
He graduated from Bucyrus High School in Ohio, where he was an athlete who participated in baseball and football. However, after reportedly being injured while playing football, Libersberger enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Special Forces as a communications officer.
His uncle, Dean Libersberger, told The Independent that his nephew was “100% a patriot,” going as far as to describe him as “a Rimbaud, for lack of a better word.” .
The Independent reported that Mr Dean said his nephew had been posting patriotic topics on Facebook and that he loved President-elect Trump.
Dean also told the magazine about his nephew's handling of explosives.
Investigators identify suspect in Cybertruck explosion at Trump Hotel based on tattoos and photos
Investigators are looking into the contents of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department press conference)
“Matt was a very skilled fighter, and if he had done this, he would have been able to create a more sophisticated explosive than using propane tanks and camp fuel.” I'm telling you. Said. “He was what you would call a 'super soldier.' If you've read about the awards he won and the experiences he had, you'll find that he had the skills and abilities to make something more, like, 'efficient.' Even though you had , some of its content would not make sense. His skills were very good considering what he was taught in the military. ”
With these technologies, Libersberger “could have built a bomb that could destroy half a hotel if he really wanted to harm someone,” Dean said.
Libersberger was a Green Beret operations sergeant who spent most of his time at Fort Carson, Colorado, and in Germany. McMahill said Libersberger was approved for leave from Germany, where he served in the Special Forces. He also previously served in the National Guard and Army Reserve.
He also received several awards and honors while serving in the U.S. Army.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The U.S. Army Public Affairs Office told Fox News that Libersberger earned the Bronze Star for bravery. 4 Bronze Star medals. Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal for Valor. 3 Army Commendation Medals; He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal twice. He received the Army Good Conduct Medal five times. National Defense Medal; three-time recipient of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Global War on Terrorism Meritorious Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon three times; Army service ribbon. Overseas Service Ribbon; twice awarded the NATO Medal. Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutist Badge; and Freefall Badge.
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
