Police probe whether explosion at Trump hotel is related to attack in New Orleans
US police are investigating whether the explosion outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas is related to the deadly car crash attack in New Orleans.
The driver of a Tesla Cybertruck was killed and seven others injured in Las Vegas after the vehicle filled with fuel tanks and fireworks guns exploded. Officials said all injuries were minor.
In the attack in New Orleans, a 42-year-old American citizen is said to have driven a pickup truck into a crowd on a busy street, killing 15 people and injuring 35 before being stopped by police. shot dead.
President Joe Biden said investigators are looking into whether the two incidents are related, but “so far there is nothing to report.”
More about the New Orleans attack
Police said the Cybertruck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the city Wednesday morning, less than two hours before the explosion. Parked in front of the hotel near the glass entrance, the car began to smoke and then exploded.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, that the car was rented to Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an active duty member of the US Army.
Livelsberger served in Germany but was on leave in Colorado at the time of the incident, CBS reported.
Two relatives of Livelsberger confirmed to CBS that he rented the Cybertruck but did not know he was involved in the incident.
A relative said Livelsberger’s wife had not heard from him in several days.
Police Chief Kevin McMahill showed reporters dramatic footage of the explosion and photos of the aftermath, including several fuel tanks along with large fireworks on the back of the truck.
The video shows the truck parked right in front of the hotel entrance. The truck stood still for a few seconds before exploding – colorful fireworks shooting out in many directions.
Another video shows investigators using a black fireproof tarp to extinguish the flames and the charred remains of the truck’s trunk. A series of gas tanks and fuel tanks were left behind along with the remains of more than a dozen fireworks mortars.
The fire occurred at around 08:40 PT (15:40 GMT), just hours after a man drove a truck with an Islamic State (IS) flag on it into a crowd in New Orleans. At least 15 people died and dozens were injured.
Mr. McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department said authorities were checking to see if the incident could have occurred. Connect with one in New Orleanswhere improvised explosive devices were found near the scene.
He said they are also investigating whether it could be related to President-elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, or Elon Musk, who owns Tesla.
“Obviously, Cybertruck, Trump Hotel, there are a lot of questions that we have to answer as we move forward,” he said.
The FBI also said it is looking into whether the incident may have been an act of terrorism, but authorities said they have not yet confirmed the identity of the driver who died in the car. Authorities also said that so far they have found no evidence that this incident is related to IS.
“I know everyone is concerned about that word and trying to see if we can say, ‘Hey, this was a terrorist attack.’ That’s our goal and that’s what we’re trying to do,” FBI special agent Jeremy Schwartz told reporters at a news conference.
The sheriff noted that both cars appeared to be rented from Turo, an app-based car rental company.
A Turo spokesperson said in a statement that the company is working with authorities in Las Vegas and New Orleans to assist with the investigation. The spokesperson noted that neither tenant appeared to have a criminal record that would “identify them as a security threat.”
“We are heartbroken by the violence that occurred in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and we pray for the victims and their families,” the statement said.
Mr. McMahill said there is no longer a threat to the Las Vegas community.
Biden was briefed on both the New Orleans attack and the Las Vegas explosion.
“We are monitoring the explosion of a Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas,” the president said in his evening speech.
“Law enforcement and the intelligence community are also investigating this matter, including whether there is any possible connection to the attack in New Orleans.”
Fire department officials said emergency responders worked quickly to extinguish the fire in the vehicle.
They added that the public should stay away from the area. The hotel was evacuated, most guests moved to another location.
It is partly owned by President-elect Donald Trump’s company. In a post on X, Trump’s son, Eric Trump, said “a tram fire reportedly occurred at the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas”.
“The safety and health of our guests and employees remains our top priority,” he said. We extend our sincere thanks to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their quick response and professionalism.”
Stephen Ferlando told the Washington Post that he witnessed the incident from his hotel room on the 53rd floor of Trump Tower. He told the outlet there was “definitely an explosion” and the windows began to shake.
According to the Trump hotel’s website, the Trump hotel spans 64 floors with approximately 1,300 suites.
Trump recently appointed Musk to co-head the presidential advisory committee, the Department of Government Effectiveness, after the two became close during Trump’s campaign.
