The Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas claimed one life and injured seven others on New Years Day, hours after a terror attack rocked New Orleans.
Cybertruck explosion rocks Trump hotel
The electric vehicle was parked in the valet area near the hotel’s lobby when it suddenly caught fire and detonated with “fireworks-style mortars onboard” around 8:40 a.m.
Authorities have identified the driver as the sole casualty, while seven bystanders nearby suffered minor injuries, officials confirmed.
Investigators have yet to determine the identity of the driver or whether the fire was intentional.
However, local authorities are treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, according to ABC7.
🚨New footage of the Tesla Cybertruck exploding in front of the Trump hotel
It looks like fireworks exploded
This was intentional
Someone was sending a message to Trump & Elon pic.twitter.com/aTpe0oM6jg
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 1, 2025
Security footage captured the moment when the vehicle erupted into bursts resembling fireworks, fueling speculation on social media that the explosion was a planned attack.
A separate video, taken by a hotel guest, shows the Cybertruck suddenly engulfed in flames while parked outside the lobby, releasing thick smoke clouds over the Strip.
Police investigating Tesla Cybertruck explosion
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that the situation is under control but cautioned people to avoid the area.
“We believe everything is safe now,” he noted while adding, “We don’t know what we don’t know.”
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, released a statement addressing the incident.
Cybertruck blows up in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegaspic.twitter.com/iGK9IDXWSV
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 1, 2025
“Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas,” he said.
“The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”
FBI seeking additional suspects in New Orleans terror attack
Meanwhile, in what the FBI has already deemed a terror attack, officials announced during a press conference that the likely ISIS supporter suspect behind the devastating New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans, possibly didn’t act alone.
A U.S. military veteran waving an ISIS flag plowed a pickup truck into a celebratory crowd on Bourbon Street, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more.
Authorities described the incident as a deliberate act of terrorism aimed at creating maximum “carnage.”
Law enforcement sources identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native with a decade of military experience.
According to police, Jabbar wore military clothing during the attack and appeared “hellbent” on causing chaos.
The attacker gained vehicle access to Bourbon Street, which is typically restricted to pedestrians.
Officials noted the street was temporarily reopened to cars due to a three-month construction project that removed the usual barricades in November.
Witnesses also reported seeing a black flag, later identified as an “Islamic caliphate or ISIS” banner, waving on the back of his truck.
He was fatally shot during a standoff with police around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, shortly after his rented Ford F-15 Lightning truck crashed into a crane blocking Bourbon Street, bringing his rampage to an end.
BREAKING: FBI says that they “DO NOT BELIEVE” that 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone in his terror attack on New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/bDv6xzuwEa
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 1, 2025
Two police officers sustained injuries during the exchange but remain in stable condition.
Jabbar was believed to be assisted by other people, who were seen on surveillance footage planting IEDs that were wired with remote detonators at multiple locations around the city.
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan commented on the investigation, saying, “We are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism. We’re aggressively running down all the leads to identify the possible subject’s associates. We’re working to ensure that there is no further threat.”
She added, “We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible.”
Law enforcement is actively pursuing all leads, and the FBI indicated they might be looking for multiple suspects.
Duncan refrained from providing specific numbers to avoid limiting the investigation’s scope. “That’s why we need the public’s help,” she urged.
Interesting the Cybertruck is outside the doors to Trump Towers with the Trump ‘T’ on the doors with the Cybertuck burning right outside, almost framing the fire. Even the ‘T’ looks like Tesla’s ‘T’ found on all their vehicles!