Authorities are investigating an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning as a possible act of terrorism. The vehicle, parked in the valet area of the hotel, had been loaded with fireworks, as indicated by security footage circulating online.
The blast claimed the life of one unidentified person who was inside the vehicle and left at least seven others with minor injuries. Two of the injured were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The fire that followed the explosion was quickly extinguished, and police cordoned off the area, urging the public to stay clear.
Investigations Underway
Law enforcement has not determined whether the explosion was intentional or accidental. However, police are exploring the possibility of terrorism or criminal intent, according to reports from ABC News. No motive has been identified at this stage.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill assured residents that there is no ongoing threat to the Las Vegas community but emphasized the need to avoid the vicinity of the incident while investigations continue.
Context and Speculation
The incident has prompted speculation about potential targets, as both Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump have been in the spotlight recently. Musk, who has aligned himself with Trump, is slated to co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. However, authorities have yet to confirm any connection between the explosion and these high-profile figures.
Eric Trump, son of the president-elect, thanked first responders for their swift action, as did the hotel management. Musk commented on the incident via social media, stating that Tesla has "never seen anything like this."
Heightened Security
Given past threats to Trump-branded properties, including a bomb hoax in 2021, security at the hotel has been heightened. The explosion follows a separate deadly incident earlier that day in New Orleans, where a man drove a truck into a crowd before opening fire on police. Ten people were killed, and 35 others were injured in the New Orleans attack, which is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The New Orleans Attack
In New Orleans, the suspect, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed by police at the scene. Authorities discovered an ISIS flag in Jabbar’s rented Ford pickup truck, prompting an FBI-led investigation into his potential affiliations with terrorist organizations. Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge at the FBI’s New Orleans office, stated that agents are following leads to uncover possible accomplices.
As investigations into both incidents continue, authorities are focused on determining whether the Las Vegas explosion and New Orleans attack are linked or isolated events.
