A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas early Wednesday morning, killing one person inside. Law enforcement officials say the incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.
FBI Agent Jeremy Schwartz said at a news conference Wednesday night that investigators do not believe there is “any other danger to the community at this time.”
“We don’t believe there are a lot of people who are supporting this or helping,” Schwartz said.
One person inside the vehicle was killed and seven others sustained minor injuries, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. He called the explosion an “isolated incident” and said there was no indication it was linked to ISIS.
McMahill said a gasoline can, a camping fuel can and a large fireworks mortar were found in the back of the vehicle after the explosion occurred about 15 seconds after the vehicle stopped in front of the building. It is still unclear how the explosive was ignited.
Rhonda Churchill/Reuters
The truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, the sheriff said.
“We know who rented the truck, and we’re looking into that person,” McMahill said, declining to release the person’s name until authorities confirm their identity.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Barclay said police and the city’s sheriff’s department “remain on extreme alert” and reminded the public that “there will be a significant police presence along the Strip, downtown and throughout the Valley for the next two days.” He urged people to look forward to it.
The explosion occurred hours after the death toll new orleans attackwhen the man drove intentionally At least 15 people were killed when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd drinking on Bourbon Street. The FBI said “weapons and a possible IED (improvised explosive device)” were found in his car, which was displaying an ISIS flag.
President Biden said Wednesday night that law enforcement and intelligence agencies are investigating a possible link between the Las Vegas bombing and the New Orleans attack, but “there is nothing to report at this time.” said.
McMahill said a 2024 Cybertruck was parked in front of the hotel’s glass entrance door. Smoke began coming from the vehicle, followed by a large explosion.
Several videos posted on social media showed the explosion and the Cybertruck engulfed in flames.
Rhonda Churchill/Reuters
Over the past year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has major donor He is a close ally of President Trump and is a billionaire. tasked with holding one’s head up The Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, along with DOGE co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy, are aiming to cut billions of dollars in federal spending.
“Obviously the Cybertruck, the Trump Hotel. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered as we move forward with this,” McMahill said.
Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
In a post on .
In another post several hours later, he said the explosion was “caused by a very large firework or bomb in the back of the rented Cybertruck and was unrelated to the vehicle itself.”
Evacuated to Trump Las Vegas hotel
The fire broke out at 8:40 a.m. in the valet area of ​​the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, a county spokesperson said in a statement. Details of the incident were initially sketchy.
“We know you have a lot of questions,” Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, said at a news conference. “I don’t really have an answer.”
Eric Trump, one of the president-elect’s sons, posted about the fire on X, saying, “There was an electric car fire in the driveway of Trump Las Vegas.”
Officials urged people to stay away from the area around the Trump Las Vegas Hotel, which is under evacuation. This 64-story hotel is located just off the famous Las Vegas Strip and across from Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall.
tesla introduced By 2023, the futuristic-looking steel-clad Cybertruck will be complete, and at the time Musk was touting the vehicle’s bulletproof windows. All-wheel Cybertrucks cost about $80,000 to $100,000.
Margaret Brennan, Robert Regal and Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.
