Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, which killed one person and injured seven others.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill confirmed during a media briefing that the seven injured individuals suffered minor injuries. The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed, pending notification of next of kin.
In a subsequent briefing on Wednesday afternoon, McMahill revealed that the Cybertruck was rented in Colorado through the peer-to-peer car rental platform Turo and driven to Las Vegas, arriving around 7:30 a.m. The driver navigated the vehicle along the Las Vegas Strip before the explosion occurred near the hotel entrance.
Investigators discovered gasoline canisters and large firework mortars in the truck’s bed. McMahill stated that the Cybertruck’s structure helped limit damage in the valet area where the incident took place.
Eyewitness video captured from the hotel lobby shows the moment the truck pulled up and then exploded. The footage quickly spread on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter).
Law enforcement is pursuing several leads and has identified the individual who rented the Cybertruck. However, McMahill declined to release names, citing the ongoing investigation.
The incident drew comparisons to a fatal attack earlier that day in New Orleans, where at least 15 people were killed in an explosion involving a rented Ford truck. McMahill noted that both vehicles were rented through Turo but called the connection a “coincidence.”
“We’re taking all necessary precautions to ensure community safety,” McMahill said, emphasizing heightened vigilance given the location on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Turo, often described as “Airbnb for cars,” confirmed its cooperation with authorities. “We are heartbroken by the violence in New Orleans and Las Vegas and are actively working with law enforcement,” a Turo spokesperson said in a statement.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also addressed the incident on X, stating that Tesla’s senior team was investigating. Musk later confirmed that the explosion was caused by fireworks or a bomb in the truck’s bed and was unrelated to the vehicle’s operation.
Telemetry data from the Cybertruck indicated normal function at the time of the explosion, Musk said. He also commended Tesla’s collaboration with law enforcement, including providing video footage from charging stations used by the suspect.
Governor Joe Lombardo’s office is coordinating with LVMPD and other agencies to investigate the incident. McMahill reassured the public that there is no current threat to the Las Vegas community but added that law enforcement continues to search for secondary devices.
The explosion comes as Elon Musk, who owns Tesla and the social media platform X, remains closely connected to President-elect Donald Trump. Reports this week suggest Musk has been staying at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, further fueling public interest in the billionaire’s ties to the former president.
Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as the investigation continues.
