On January 1st, a devastating explosion occurred outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, when a Tesla Cybertruck erupted into flames, killing the driver and injuring seven others. Witnesses captured video of the terrifying scene as the vehicle burned outside the hotel. The FBI is investigating whether this incident was an act of terrorism.
This explosion came only hours after a similar incident in New Orleans, where a man drove into a crowd, killing 15 people. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police after the attack.
The Cybertruck involved in the Las Vegas explosion had been rented from Turo, a car-sharing service, and was carrying what authorities believe to be large fireworks or a bomb in its bed. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, immediately clarified that the explosion was unrelated to the Cybertruck’s design or function. Musk praised the vehicle for minimizing the damage, saying it contained the explosion and directed it upwards, preventing further destruction. In a post on social media, Musk noted that the vehicle’s telemetry data showed no issues before the explosion, indicating that the vehicle itself was not at fault.
Despite the fire, the Trump Hotel’s glass doors remained intact, and firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. Only minor injuries were reported, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution.
“Obviously a Cybertruck, the Trump hotel – there’s lots of questions that we have to answer,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at an afternoon press conference.
The FBI confirmed that both the Cybertruck and the vehicle used in the New Orleans attack were rented through Turo, though there was no indication that the renters had any criminal backgrounds. Turo is cooperating with law enforcement officials as investigations continue.
“I know everybody’s interested in that word, and trying to see if we can say, ‘Hey, this is a terrorist attack.’ That is our goal, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Schwartz said.
The FBI is also considering whether the explosion in Las Vegas is connected to the attack in New Orleans. Investigators are working to determine whether this was part of a coordinated effort or a separate incident.
As the investigation unfolds, Elon Musk’s comments have sparked conversation about how advanced technology, like the Cybertruck’s design, might help contain damage in such catastrophic events.
