A viral video showed the Cybertruck engulfed in flames moments after stopping in front of the hotel’s entrance. Forensic teams discovered firework mortars and camp fuel canisters packed into the truck’s trunk bed, raising suspicions of foul play. Las Vegas police revealed that the vehicle was rented in Colorado.
The FBI was probing whether the incident was linked to a separate vehicle attack that occurred in New Orleans the same day, which left 15 people dead. At a Wednesday evening press conference, FBI agent Jeremy Schwartz stated the Las Vegas explosion was an “isolated incident”. However, the attack is being probed as a potential act of terrorism.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on X, stating that the explosion appeared to be a deliberate act. Musk said that the attackers chose the wrong vehicle for the attack, as the Cybertruck’s design contained the blast.
“Appears likely to be an act of terrorism.” Musk said. “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 added.
Musk further clarified that the explosion was caused by the fireworks or bomb carried in the truck’s bed, not by any fault of the vehicle.
Discover the stories of your interest
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself,” Musk said.
Musk also pointed out that both the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks involved vehicles rented through Turo, suggesting a potential link between the two events.
Musk, who will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), described the incident as “unprecedented” and promised an in-depth investigation.