Las Vegas authorities are crediting Elon Musk, the head of Tesla, with aiding the investigation into the explosion of a Cybertruck at the porte cochère of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas.
As law enforcement delved into the incident, Tesla provided crucial security footage of the vehicle at various charging stations, as well as other valuable data, said Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill during a press briefing on Wednesday evening.
“I have to thank Elon Musk specifically. He gave us quite a bit of additional information in regards to how the vehicle was locked after it exploded, due to… the nature of the force from the explosion,” McMahill explained to reporters.
“[They were] able to capture all of the video from Tesla charging stations across the country,” McMahill continued. “[Musk] sent that truck directly to us, so I appreciate his help on that.”
Around 8:40 a.m. local time, the Cybertruck, which was parked directly outside the glass doors of the Trump Las Vegas hotel, began emitting smoke before erupting in a loud explosion. Authorities are treating the incident as a potential terrorist act.
Only the driver, who was killed, and at least seven other people who were injured have been reported as victims, according to law enforcement.
The electric vehicle was discovered to be carrying firework mortars, camping fuel, and canisters.
At this point, investigators remain uncertain about the exact cause of the fire and have not yet identified a suspect, with McMahill stating they are not “100%” sure of the individual’s identity.
Musk, 53, and President-elect Donald Trump have developed a strong relationship in recent months, but McMahill stated that it’s unclear whether this connection played any role in the explosion.
“It’s a Tesla truck, and we know that Elon Musk is working with President-elect Trump, and it’s the Trump Tower. So there’s obviously things to be concerned about there, and that’s something we continue to look at,” McMahill said when asked if the incident could be linked to that relationship.
Musk provided updates on the situation throughout the day, at one point mocking the choice of a Cybertruck for a potential terrorist attack.
“Cybertruck is the worst possible choice for a car bomb, as its stainless steel armor will contain the blast better than any other commercial vehicle,” Musk posted on X.
Sources have confirmed that no Secret Service protectees were present at the Trump Las Vegas hotel when the explosion occurred.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed a motive for the explosion, which took place just hours after a vehicle attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, which killed at least 15 people and injured more. The FBI has acknowledged its investigation into the incident as an “act of terrorism.”
The suspect in the New Orleans attack was later identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, an American citizen from Texas. Officials found an ISIS flag and ISIS-related writings in his vehicle.
Both the Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas and the Ford pickup truck involved in the New Orleans attack were rented through the Turo app.
“That’s another coincidence that absolutely… we have to continue to look into,” McMahill said regarding the use of Turo in both incidents.
Apart from the Turo connection, authorities have not publicly mentioned any other possible links between the two tragic events that occurred on New Year’s Day.
President Biden has confirmed that law enforcement is examining “whether there’s any possible connection” between the two attacks.
“I don’t know, but what I can tell you is we’re absolutely investigating any connectivity to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks that have been occurring around the world,” McMahill said when asked about potential links.
{Matzav.com}