An explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas early Thursday morning has left one person dead and seven others injured. The incident, believed to be a terrorist attack, is under investigation by the FBI’s joint terrorism task force.
Musk Speaks Out on Cybertruck’s Role
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident, claiming the Cybertruck’s robust design helped minimize the explosion’s impact. “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken,” Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The explosion, which occurred at the hotel’s main entrance, originated from materials stored in the truck’s bed, including fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel. Investigators noted these were connected to a detonation system controlled by the driver.
Details of the Incident
The Cybertruck involved was reportedly rented through the car-sharing platform Turo. Las Vegas police confirmed that the blast resulted in one fatality and seven injuries, all of which were minor. The hotel was evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Link to New Orleans Attack?
The timing of the explosion has raised concerns about a potential link to another attack in New Orleans. On New Year’s Day, a former US Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring 35. Jabbar’s actions were reportedly inspired by the Islamic State group.
Both vehicles used in the Las Vegas and New Orleans incidents were rented through Turo. A spokesperson for the company stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and highlighted that neither renter had a criminal background that would have raised security concerns.
Ongoing Investigation
Jeremy Schwartz, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Las Vegas, confirmed the investigation is focusing on whether the two incidents are connected. “While there is no definitive link yet, the similarities in the method of vehicle rentals and the timing warrant further scrutiny,” he said.
The incident has raised alarm over the potential for rented vehicles to be weaponized and the need for increased scrutiny in vehicle-sharing services.
Sources By Agencies
