Tesla Cybertruck explosion near Las Vegas Trump hotel investigated as possible terror act

LAS VEGAS — Authorities are investigating a possible act of terror in Las Vegas after a Tesla Cybertruck parked near the Trump International Hotel exploded Wednesday, leaving one dead and seven injured.

The vehicle was rented in Colorado and arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. PT, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said during a news conference. The driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been named by authorities, drove the vehicle up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before pulling in front of the Trump hotel around 8:40 a.m.

The vehicle sat there about 15 seconds before the explosion went off, McMahill said. Police later discovered gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and large firework mortars in the back of the vehicle. The sole individual in the truck died.

The explosion occurred hours after the deadly attack involving a truck in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. President Joe Biden said federal authorities are investigating whether there may be a link between the fatal truck assault and the explosion in Las Vegas.

“We’re tracking the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas,” Biden said in his public remarks. “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, said the incident at the Trump hotel is being investigated through the bureau’s joint terrorism task force.

“Our number one goal is to ensure that we have the proper identification of the subject involved in this incident,” Schwartz said. “Following that, our second objective is to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or not.”

Investigation ongoing

Earlier in the day, Schwartz said: “I know you’re looking for a lot of answers. We just don’t have a lot of answers. We’re going to continue to work as hard as we can over the next 24 to 48 hours to hopefully get more to you.”

McMahill credited the Cybertruck for directing the blast “up through the truck and out,” which “really limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet.”

First unveiled in 2019, the Cybertruck is a battery-powered EV and Tesla’s first truck. The vehicle gained attention for its post-apocalyptic styling. It was marketed as having a “bullet tough” stainless-steel frame and “basically rock-proof” armored glass, according to previous statements from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Musk speculated that the explosion may have been an act of terrorism on his social media site X, noting that both the Cybertruck and the Ford F-150 truck used in New Orleans were rented from Turo.

“That’s another coincidence that absolutely is continuing to bear from our investigation that we have to continue to look into,” McMahill said during the news conference. He said there was no indication of any links to the terrorist group Islamic State, but “we are investigating every aspect of this.”

Turo confirmed Wednesday that the vehicles involved in the Las Vegas explosion and New Orleans attack were rented from the peer-to-peer car rental service.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Turo said in a statement. “We are devastated by these horrible incidents, and remain dedicated to helping the authorities however we can.”

Turo said its trust and safety team is working with law enforcement to “share any information that could be helpful in their investigations.”

The company noted that it does not believe that either renter had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat and that the company was not aware of any information suggesting the two incidents are related.

‘We were worried’

Colette Robertson, from Orlando, Florida, said she was in a hotel room on the 38^th floor of the Trump International Hotel Wednesday morning when she heard explosions from below.

“All we could see was pluming smoke coming out,” Robertson said, standing on the Las Vegas Strip near where police had set up a blockade. “We were worried.”

Robertson said she headed downstairs to investigate and could see a Cybertruck parked in front of the hotel’s front doors. Robertson said she was evacuated from the hotel about an hour later.

“We were supposed to fly out at 2:30,” Robertson told USA TODAY midday Wednesday, pointing out that her luggage and rental car were still at the hotel. “I don’t know how that’s supposed to happen.”

Tricia Boyer, who was staying at the Trump Hotel with her family, said she initially dismissed the explosion as fireworks left over from New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“We thought for sure that some random firework didn’t go off last night and just randomly went off,” Boyer, of Phoenix told USA TODAY. But “it was quite the boom.”

When Boyer later left her hotel room on the 30^th floor to let her French bulldog outside, she said the elevator smelled like smoke, the air was “a little hazy,” and she was ushered outside once she reached the lower level. She said her husband and five kids remained in the hotel, along with her wallet and other belongings.

“I’m still in my pajamas,” she told USA TODAY early Wednesday afternoon. “Everything’s in the room. I don’t even have socks on. I have nothing on me — I just have my phone, and one of the nice security guards over at the Wynn gave me some water. So we’re working it out.”

McMahill told reporters Wednesday afternoon that “the Trump will remain closed as we continue this lengthy investigation.”

“The safety & well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response,” Trump Las Vegas posted on X.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY