Police are investigating after a Tesla Cybertruck carrying fuel cans and firework mortars exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Police said the driver was killed and seven people were injured, without naming those involved. Officials said all injuries were minor.
Police said the truck had been rented in Colorado and arrived there Wednesday morning, less than two hours before the explosion. A car parked near the hotel’s front glass entrance began smoking and then exploded.
President Joe Biden said in evening remarks that the White House was tracking the case and that law enforcement was investigating possible links to the New Orleans attack that left 15 dead on New Year’s Day.
At an afternoon press conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill showed dramatic video of the explosion and photos of the aftermath, including several fuel cans along with a large fireworks display in the bed of a truck.
The video showed the truck parked right in front of the hotel entrance. The truck sat still for a few seconds before exploding. Fireworks of various colors exploded from several directions.
Another video shows investigators using black fire-retardant tarps to extinguish the flames and shows the charred remains of a truck bed. Several gas and fuel canisters were left behind along with the remains of more than a dozen firecracker mortars.
The fire broke out around 08:40 Pacific Time (PT) (15:40 GMT), just hours after a man drove a truck carrying the Islamic State group’s flag into a crowd in New Orleans. It happened after a long time. At least 15 people were killed and dozens injured.
McMahill of the Las Vegas Police Department said authorities are investigating whether the incident was an actual crime. It’s connected to being in New Orleans.An improvised explosive device was discovered near the scene.
He said he was also investigating whether there were any links to President-elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, or Elon Musk, who owns Tesla.
“Obviously there are a lot of questions that need to be answered as we move forward, including the Cybertruck and the Trump hotel,” he said.
The FBI said it was investigating whether the incident was an act of terrorism, but authorities said they had not yet identified the driver who died in the vehicle. Authorities also said that they had not yet found any evidence that this incident was related to IS.
“I know everyone is interested in that word and trying to see if we can say, ‘Hey, this is a terrorist attack.’ That’s our goal, that’s what we’re trying to do.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Schwartz told reporters at a press conference.
The sheriff noted that both vehicles appear to have been rented from Turo, an app-based rental car company.
A Turo spokesperson said in a statement that the company is cooperating with authorities in Las Vegas and New Orleans to assist in the investigation. The spokesperson noted that neither tenant appears to have a criminal history that “would lead them to be identified as a security threat.”
“We are heartbroken by the violence committed in New Orleans and Las Vegas,” the statement said. “Our prayers are with the victims and their families.”
Authorities said they know the name of the person who rented the vehicle, but have not officially confirmed whether he was driving the vehicle.
“As you can imagine, with the explosion occurring here on iconic Las Vegas Boulevard, we are taking every precaution we need to take to keep our community safe,” he said at a news conference.
Mr. McMahill said there is no longer a threat to the Las Vegas community.
Biden was briefed on the New Orleans attacks and the Las Vegas bombings.
“We are tracking the explosion of the Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas,” Trump said in his evening remarks.
“Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are also investigating this incident, including whether it may be linked to the New Orleans attack.”
A fire department official said, “Emergency crews quickly began extinguishing the vehicle fire.”
They added that the public should stay away from the area. The hotel was evacuated and most guests moved elsewhere.
The company is partially owned by President-elect Donald Trump’s company. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, wrote in a post on
“The safety and well-being of our guests and employees is our top priority, and we are truly grateful to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their quick response and professionalism,” he said.
Stephen Ferrando told The Washington Post that he witnessed the incident from his hotel room on the 53rd floor of Trump Tower. He said the outlet “obviously exploded” and the windows began shaking.
The Trump Hotel features approximately 1,300 suites spread over 64 floors, according to its website.
Trump recently appointed Musk as co-director of the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board to the president with whom Trump became friendly during the campaign.
