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The body of the Tesla truck remained largely undamaged despite the massive explosion.

Las Vegas—A horrifying explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas has revealed a grim and complex story of tragedy and terror. The perpetrator, identified as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, was a highly trained member of the U.S. Army’s elite Green Berets, stationed in Germany. Reports from CNN and Fox News, citing investigators, confirmed that Livelsberger was on leave during the holidays when the incident occurred.

This is how Matthew Livelsberger (37) appeared on social networks.

Livelsberger, holding the rank of master sergeant, was stationed at the tank barracks in Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg. As a member of the Green Berets, the U.S. Army’s renowned 10,000-strong unit specializing in guerrilla warfare and counterterrorism, his military service marked him as a seasoned and skilled soldier. Yet, his final act was one of violence and devastation.

Driving a rented Tesla Cybertruck, Livelsberger approached the glass entrance of the Trump Hotel on Wednesday evening. Moments later, the vehicle erupted in a massive explosion, killing him instantly. According to Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill, the three-ton Cybertruck was rigged with large quantities of fireworks and gasoline canisters. Seven bystanders sustained injuries from the blast, though none were life-threatening—a small mercy attributed to the Cybertruck’s unique structure, which directed much of the explosion upwards. Remarkably, the hotel’s glass doors remained intact, a testament to the vehicle’s design.

The body of the Tesla truck remained largely undamaged despite the massive explosion.

Authorities are now piecing together the motivations and connections behind Livelsberger’s deadly actions. FBI Deputy Christopher Raia stated that, at this time, there is no definitive link between the Las Vegas explosion and the earlier terrorist attack in New Orleans, where another ex-soldier used a pickup truck to kill 14 people. However, similarities have raised suspicions. Both perpetrators had military backgrounds and were stationed at the same base at different times. Intriguingly, both rented their vehicles through the Turo app, a detail investigators are examining closely.

The Las Vegas attack has added a chilling dimension to the week’s tragedies. Livelsberger’s background as an elite soldier contrasts sharply with the violent act that ended his life and endangered others. While authorities continue to investigate the circumstances, questions linger about how a highly trained individual could spiral into such a destructive path.

For those affected, the scars of the explosion are both physical and emotional. Las Vegas, a city synonymous with celebration and entertainment, has been jolted by an act that seems inexplicable. The resilience of the community, however, shines through as investigations press on, aiming to uncover answers and prevent further horrors from unfolding.