FBI suspects soldier behind Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas suffers from PTSD | Crime news

Private Matthew Livelsperger was found dead in the wreckage of the New Year’s Day explosion outside the Trump Hotel.

Authorities in the United States are investigating the matter Cyber ​​truck explosion In front of a Trump-branded hotel in Las Vegas, they released new details about the motive behind the explosion.

FBI investigators indicated on Friday that the soldier behind the explosion appeared to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

“Although this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic suicide involving a combat veteran who was suffering from PTSD and other issues,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans explained. . In a press conference.

The FBI added that there was no evidence that the soldier, 37 year old Matthew LivelspergerIt harbored hostility towards President-elect Donald Trump, despite the location and clear details of the explosion.

Cybertrucks are manufactured by Tesla, the electric vehicle company he founded Trump supporter Elon Musk.

The coroner’s report states that Livelsberger died by suicide shortly before the explosion. His body was found in the charred remains of the Cybertruck, and a gun was discovered at his feet.

The explosion sparked widespread speculation on New Year’s Day, as the United States was grappling with a suspected “terrorist attack” in the city of New Orleans. 14 victims were killed.

Seven people were slightly injured when a rented Cybertruck exploded in a valet parking circle outside the glass doors of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on the same day.

One person, later identified as Livelsberger, was also found dead at the scene. The car was full of fireworks and fuel canisters.

The press conference on Friday coincided with the publication of excerpts from a note Leftsberger left behind explaining his motives behind the explosion.

In the memo, Livelsperger — an Army Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and other locations — described feeling the need to “clear my mind” of “the burden of the life I took.”

“This was not a terrorist attack, but rather a wake-up call,” Livelsberger wrote. “Americans only care about spectacle and violence. There is no better way to get my point across than with fireworks and explosives.”

Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Livelsberger has served in the Army in various roles since 2006, earning five Bronze Stars for his accomplishments.

He was on approved leave from work when he took his own life.

New Orleans attack suspect Shams al-Din JabbarHe was also a military veteran. He deliberately rammed a rented Ford pickup truck into a crowd of people on New Year’s Eve on Bourbon Street, before dying in a shootout with police.

No connection has been found between the two incidents, although investigators said they were exploring all possible leads.

On Friday, Nurse Alicia Arit, a former friend of Livelsperger’s, told The Washington Post that the green soldier suffers from a deep sense of guilt over his experiences in combat.

She suspects his symptoms, which included a blurry memory, may have been caused by a head injury or physical trauma.

“He wanted to get more help,” Ariete told the newspaper in her interview. “I think it was more difficult for him, being on active duty — the shame and stigma.”

One neighbor, Cindy Helwig, told The Associated Press that she remembered Livelsberger recently coming to her to get a tool to fix his SUV.

“He was an ordinary man,” she added.