Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Police are investigating a possible act of terrorism in Nevada after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the newly elected president Donald Trumpis in the hotel Vegas on New Year’s Day.
One person diedand several others were injured during the incident on Wednesday morning.
The exact cause of the violent explosion is unknown, however, authorities said they are “well aware” deadly terrorist attack in New Orleansand “they took every precaution.”
Joe Biden said in his remarks at Camp David on Wednesday night that investigators are trying to determine any connection between the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Here’s what we know so far:
what happened?
The explosion happened around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday morning in the lobby of the Trump International Hotel at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sammy Davis Jr. Drive.
The 64-story hotel is located right next to the famous Las Vegas Strip and across the street from the Fashion Show Las Vegas mall.
A video posted on social media showed different angles of the large explosion, which appeared to include fireworks. The video from inside the hotel shows a burning vehicle right in front of the entrance, with a series of explosions.
Guests staying at the hotel and surrounding properties told FOX5 they heard several “booms” that many described as louder than New Year’s fireworks.
“The glass was shaking, it was so loud,” a witness who stayed at Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip told KLAS. “I looked and saw smoke and me and my wife booked it out of there.”
Las Vegas County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the hotel was evacuated and guests were taken to Resorts World while police investigated.
What was the cause of the explosion?
Police initially said the cause of the explosion was unknown, although the head of Tesla Elon Musk wrote online that the company’s entire senior team is also helping with investigations.
In a later post on X, Musk said the incident was not due to a fault with the Cybertruck itself.
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by a very large firework and/or bomb that was in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and was not connected to the vehicle itself,” he said. “All vehicle telemetry [data collection] was positive at the time of the explosion.”
McMahill later confirmed that authorities had gasoline canisters and “large fireworks mortars” in the back of the truck.
Was there a motive behind the incident?
McMahill noted at a news conference Wednesday that officials are “very well aware” of the attack in New Orleans in which a man deliberately drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating New Year’s just hours earlier, killing 10 people.
He said officials are “taking all the precautions we need to take to protect our community” and are “looking for secondary devices.”
The FBI is also involved in the investigation. “I know you have a lot of questions,” Jeremy Schwartz, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office, told a news conference. “We don’t have a lot of answers.”
Despite authorities’ caution, Musk later announced that the incident appeared to be “likely an act of terrorism.” Both this Cybertruck and the F-150 suicide bomber in New Orleans were leased from Turo. Maybe they are connected in some way,” he suggested.
Joe Biden has directed his team to offer any necessary federal assistance, the White House said.
Who are the victims?
One person died in the vehicle, according to McMahill, and efforts are underway to remove the body. It is uncertain whether the person was male or female.
Seven more people were injured in the explosion.
The two injured were transported to Southern Nevada University Medical Center for treatment. McMahill said all injuries were minor and there was no further threat to the public.
More details about the victims have yet to be released.