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Published on January 08, 2025
New Year's Day Explosion - Fatal Tesla Cybertruck Blast at Trump Hotel Vegas, Manifesto Sparks InvestigationSource: Wikipedia/Mliu92, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Las Vegas Strip was the site of an explosion on New Year's Day involving a Tesla Cybertruck at the Trump International Hotel. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), and first reported by Hoodline, the blast occurred in the valet area, resulting in one death and several injuries.

Emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly after the explosion was reported at around 8:40 a.m. The fire resulting from the exploding Cybertruck was promptly extinguished, revealing the remains of an individual inside the vehicle, later confirmed to be the sole occupant. In an effort to understand this event, investigators uncovered gasoline canisters and large firework mortars among the burned remains of the vehicle, as described in a Hoodline report.

Following initial inquiries, the LVMPD linked the rented Cybertruck to recent activity in Colorado and traced its journey through Tesla's charging station data. The latest development in the investigation reveals that the suspect had a manifesto, as per an update shared by LVMPD via social media. It was discovered on the suspect's phone and suggests a deliberate plan which also utilized AI tools, according to a video shown during a news conference.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has provided a preliminary assessment, indicating that the explosion was caused by a 60-pound pyrotechnic device, set off by a fuel-air ignition. Investigators, meanwhile, are meticulously sifting through the evidence to pinpoint the source of the initial flame, which could have been anything from a firearm muzzle flash, a hobby fuse, or perhaps even an electrical short within the vehicle itself, this, according to the LVMPD's public statements.

While the authorities have reassured the public that there is currently no known threat to safety, they have urged vigilance and cooperation during this time of investigation. The community around Las Vegas has been encouraged to be observant and report any suspicious activities, as standard safety protocols are upheld to ensure the security of the Las Vegas Strip and its surroundings.