ISTANBUL

A 37-year-old US Army master sergeant was identified as the person behind the New Year’s Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel Las Vegas, having taken his own life before the blast with "no animosity" toward President-elect Donald Trump, according to investigators.

The incident “ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who is struggling with PTSD (post-dramatic stress disorder) and other issues," Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters on Friday, said Fox News. Only former Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger died in the explosion, and seven people were injured.

Recovered from one of Livelsberger’s two phones was a journal documenting his final movements, alongside a manifesto revealing his battle with PTSD. Despite the apparent symbolism of the site of the attack using a Tesla truck, built by a company made by major Trump supporter billionaire Elon Musk, investigators said neither document indicated hostility toward Trump or a political motive.

Livelsberger was also registered with the "No Labels" political party, a movement describing itself as promoting bipartisan cooperation and rejecting extremism.

No political motive

Voting records from the El Paso County clerk’s office in Colorado show he initially registered with the party in 2020 and re-registered this July and voted in November

An Army spokesperson confirmed that Livelsberger, a special operations soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group, had served in the military since 2006, achieving the rank of master sergeant.

A decorated combat soldier with ties to bases such as Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), he also completed stints in the National Guard and Army Reserve. At the time of his death, he was on approved leave from his station in Germany.

“We are continuing to review his history and affiliations, but nothing so far suggests animosity toward the president-elect," McMahill added.

The case remains under investigation.