January 2, 2024: Authorities believe that fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel were connected to a detonation system controlled by the driver of a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning. The FBI is investigating whether this was a terrorist act but has confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The fire started at 8:40 a.m., and emergency crews arrived to find a 2024 Cybertruck in flames. One person was found dead inside the vehicle, and authorities are working to identify the individual. Seven others were injured in the explosion but are in stable condition.
The vehicle was rented in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas at 7:30 a.m. It drove around Las Vegas Boulevard before stopping in front of the Trump Hotel, where it exploded shortly after. Surveillance footage shows the truck driving past the hotel, then returning to the same spot before the explosion.
The police released images of gasoline canisters and firework mortars found in the truck. Authorities are still confirming the identity of the person who rented the truck, but they haven’t released the name yet.
Sheriff McMahill credited the Cybertruck’s steel construction for minimizing damage, as much of the explosion vented upward. He also thanked Elon Musk for providing helpful information to track the driver.
The vehicle was rented through Turo, and the company is cooperating with law enforcement. Turo stated that neither renter involved in the Las Vegas or New Orleans attacks had any criminal background that would have flagged them as a security threat.
