Federal Authorities Seize Control of Cybertruck Explosion Investigation, Classify Suspect's Manifesto

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has released a 78-page after-action report detailing the January 1, 2025, Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas. The report, published on November 3, 2025, outlines the incident, the extensive local and federal response, and a significant federal intervention that resulted in the classification of the suspect's manifesto by the Department of Defense. This classification effectively transferred full control of the investigation from local to federal authorities, citing national security concerns.

The incident involved Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who deliberately drove a rented Tesla Cybertruck into the hotel's porte cochere at approximately 8:40 a.m. before detonating it. The explosion killed Livelsberger and injured six other individuals. Investigators determined the blast was a premeditated attack utilizing a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, designed to cause mass casualties and structural damage. Firearms, ammunition, fuel containers, fireworks, and multiple electronic devices were recovered from the destroyed vehicle.

Digital evidence extracted from Livelsberger's recovered iPhones, including chat history, internet searches, encrypted notes, and a manifesto, confirmed he acted alone. However, the content of this material prompted the Department of Defense to classify the manifesto on January 9, 2025. Reports indicate Livelsberger sent an email to a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer, discussing alleged secret government programs, classified drone technology, and wartime misconduct, including claims of "gravitic propulsion" aircraft and covered-up civilian casualties in Afghanistan.