Authorities are investigating a potential act of terrorism after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, January 1, leaving one dead and seven injured.
The vehicle, rented in Colorado, arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. PT, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was seen driving the Cybertruck up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before stopping in front of the Trump hotel at around 8:40 a.m.
The vehicle remained stationary for about 15 seconds before the explosion occurred, McMahill reported.
Subsequent investigations revealed gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars in the back of the truck. The lone occupant of the vehicle died in the blast.
This explosion came just hours after a deadly truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. President Joe Biden confirmed that federal authorities are looking into whether there could be a connection between the two incidents.
“We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas,” Biden said. “Law enforcement and the intelligence community are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans.”
Jeremy Schwartz, acting Special Agent in Charge for the FBI in Las Vegas, stated that the incident is being investigated by the bureau’s joint terrorism task force.
“Our primary objective is to properly identify the individual involved in this incident,” Schwartz said. “Following that, we’ll determine whether this was an act of terrorism.”
