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This article contains reference to suicide.
A man who died when a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives burst into flames outside a Las Vegas hotel part-owned by US president-elect Donald Trump was reportedly a highly decorated US army Green Beret who deployed twice to Afghanistan.
At least one person was killed and seven wounded when the vehicle exploded after pulling up to the Trump International Hotel’s glass entrance.
Video footage shows the stainless steel truck parked at the hotel entrance before bursting into flames, followed by smaller explosions that appeared similar to fireworks.
There was “one deceased individual inside the Cybertruck” while seven people received “minor” injuries, Las Vegas sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters.
The sheriff told a press conference that police officers “knew we had a much larger event than just a vehicle fire” and played video footage that showed “gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters and large firework mortars” in the truck’s boot.
McMahill later told reporters on Thursday (local time) that authorities had “discovered through the coroner’s office that the individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation of the vehicle”.

McMahill said at a news conference that a handgun was found at the feet of the man. Officials believe the shot was self-inflicted.

US media have identified Matthew Alan Livelsberger as the man who rented the Cybertruck, though authorities have not yet confirmed that or the identity of the person who died inside the vehicle.
The Pentagon said Livelsberger was on leave from active duty at the time of the incident.
“US Army Special Operations Command can confirm Livelsberger was assigned to the command and on approved leave at the time of his death,” an army spokesperson said, without confirming that he was the person inside the truck.

The spokesperson said Livelsberger had enlisted from 2006 until 2011, before serving in the National Guard and the Army Reserve and then joining special forces by 2012.
Investigators in hazmat suits photograph a heavily charred Tesla Cybertruck.

At least one person was killed and seven wounded when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a hotel part-owned by US President-elect Donald Trump in Las Vegas, police have said. Source: Getty / Wade Vanderverot / AFP

Tesla chief Elon Musk — — said the blast was unrelated to the Cybertruck itself.

“We have now confirmed that 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,” Musk said in a post on X. “All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”
Telemetry involves the automatic collection of data from remote sources, transmitting it back to a central source so it can later be analysed.

Earlier, Musk said the “whole Tesla senior team” was investigating the blast, adding: “We’ve never seen anything like this.”

President Joe Biden was briefed on the explosion and directed his team to offer any federal assistance needed, the White House said.
The blast came just hours after an , killing at least 15, including the attacker, and injuring dozens.
Initially, investigators were searching for any potential link between the two incidents, but authorities in New Orleans said on Thursday they believe the attacker there acted alone, while the FBI described the Vegas incident as “isolated.”
Both the Cybertruck and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack had been rented through car-sharing service Turo.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 and Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
ADF members and their families can call the Defence all-hours Support Line, a confidential telephone and online service, on 1800 628 036.
Open Arms provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families on 1800 011 046.

Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families can also contact national support services provider Soldier On during office hours 1300 620 380.
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