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A tragic and alarming incident unfolded near the Hoover Dam on Thursday, when a 23-year-old law student from New York state crashed his vehicle into a power substation gate and subsequently took his own life.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff McMahill has labeled the event as “terrorism-related.” He disclosed that Dawson Maloney, the individual involved, had been staying in a hotel room where various books were found. These books pertained to extremist ideologies spanning the political spectrum, including right and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy, and anti-government sentiments.
According to McMahill, investigators unearthed multiple firearms inside Maloney’s rental car. A witness to the incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., contacted authorities after hearing gunshots following the crash. One of the bullets was discovered lodged in Maloney’s windshield, as confirmed by the sheriff.
“Upon searching the rental vehicle, we found two shotguns, an AR-style pistol, numerous loaded AR magazines, a box of shotgun shells, and two flamethrower-like devices,” Sheriff McMahill explained. “Additionally, a crowbar, a hatchet, and a cellular phone, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis, were recovered. The suspect was also wearing soft body armor during the incident.”
Prior to the tragic event, Maloney had been reported missing in New York. He had communicated with his family shortly before the incident on Thursday, adding another layer of complexity and sadness to this deeply concerning episode.
“The suspect had made multiple statements referencing self-harm and alluding to committing an act that would place him ‘on the news,’” McMahill said. “In a message to his mother, the suspect referred to himself as a ‘dead terrorist son’ and stated he felt he had an obligation to carry out his act.”
Christopher Delzotto, the FBI special agent in charge in Las Vegas, said Maloney rented a vehicle on February 12 in New York and left the Albany area two days later en route to Nevada.
FBI agents searched two residences connected with Maloney in Albany, the Albany Times Union reported, and they recovered electronic devices, gun components, and a 3D printer.
Maloney was a member of the Albany Law School Class of 2027, the . A school spokesperson said they were “heartbroken” to learn of Maloney’s death and declined any further comment.
Boulder Dam is on the Colorado River, along the Nevada-Arizona state line about 35 miles south of Las Vegas.