By Alexandra E. Petri, Emmett Lindner and Pashtana Usufzy
One person was killed and at least seven people were injured after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, authorities said, and officials were investigating any possible links to an earlier attack on a crowd in New Orleans.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said during a news conference that authorities “believe this to be an isolated incident” but had not yet ruled out a connection to the Wednesday morning attack in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people.
McMahill said the authorities had found gas canisters, camp fuel canisters and large firework mortars in the back of the truck. It was unclear how they had been ignited, McMahill said.
“There is no further threat to the community,” McMahill said. As of Wednesday afternoon, there was no indication the explosion was connected to the Islamic State group, which President Joe Biden said inspired the New Orleans attack, but the investigation remains ongoing, he said.
At a news conference Wednesday, Jeremy Schwartz, the acting FBI special agent in charge in Las Vegas, said the agency was investigating whether the explosion “was an act of terrorism or not.”
“I know everybody’s interested in that word and trying to see if we can say, ‘Hey this is a terrorist attack,’” Schwartz said. “That is our goal, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a report of an explosion around 8:40 a.m. at the Trump hotel.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, said in a statement on his social media platform, X, that “the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck” and said the vehicle was functioning properly.
Police were told that a 2024 Cybertruck “pulled up to the last entrance doors of the hotel,” McMahill said earlier at a news conference.
The driver was the only person in the truck, McMahill said, and was killed inside the vehicle. At least seven others were reported to have sustained minor injuries.
The person’s body remained in the truck Wednesday afternoon, McMahill said, and the authorities were working on identification.
Authorities said the truck had been rented in Colorado using Turo, the same car rental app used in the New Orleans attack. Authorities had been able to trace the car back to Colorado using video footage captured at charging stations, McMahill said.
McMahill said authorities have identified the person who rented the truck but are not releasing their name.
The truck arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m., McMahill said, and went up and down Las Vegas Boulevard before immediately pulling into the Trump Towers.
In a statement, a Turo spokesperson said the company is working with the authorities as they investigate both incidents.
“We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
The NY American Jacket Finest Leather Jacket is a versatile and stylish piece that embodies urban sophistication with a nod to classic Americana. Featuring a sleek design, high-quality materials, and thoughtful detailing, this jacket is perfect for casual outings or making a bold fashion statement. Its timeless appeal and comfortable fit make it a wardrobe essential for those who value both style and functionality.