Shocking Links Between NOLA Attacker, Trump Hotel ‘Bomber’ Are Uncovered
Authorities have discovered a critical link between individuals implicated in two attacks on New Year’s Day, one that suggests they may have been in communication and coordinated their activities.
In Las Vegas, where a Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel, federal and local officials have identified Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Army Green Beret veteran who they say rented the vehicle using the Turo smartphone app. One person, believed to be Livelsberger the driver, died when the Cybertruck exploded at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time while sitting curbside at the Trump property, where it was loaded with gasoline tanks, camping fuel, and fireworks mortars. Newsweek reported that local outlets discovered Livelsberger as the renter, but the FBI and Las Vegas Police Department have not returned requests for comment.
Authorities are continuing to investigate whether the attacks are connected, while sources shared that Livelsberger, at one point, served on the same Army base as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the driver in New Orleans who plowed a rented truck into a Bourbon Street crowd and killed more than a dozen revelers. Around 3:15 a.m., witnesses say Jabbar’s truck made its deadly run through the bustling French Quarter before Jabbar was shot and killed by police, just hours before the Las Vegas attack. Like Livelsberger, Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and veteran, and the two served on the same military base, sources told Denver 7 Investigates.
A personnel record acquired by the outlet reveals that Jabbar joined the Army in 2007, where he specialized in human resources and information technology. He was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, subsequently transitioning to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2015 and concluding his military service in 2020 with the rank of staff sergeant. Livelsberger, who enlisted in 2006, built a career as a major in the Special Forces, as noted in a LinkedIn profile.
“We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan told reporters at a news conference. Asked on Thursday whether he believes the two attacks were connected, President Joe Biden told reporters, “Law enforcement are investigating this as well, including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans. Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score at this time.” In Las Vegas, Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated, “We are absolutely investigating any connectivity to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks that have been occurring around the world. We aren’t ruling anything out.”
An investigation into Jabbar, a native of Texas, has so far revealed a fascination with the Islamic State that may have inspired his attack. Biden added that the FBI informed him that “mere hours before the attack, [Jabbar] posted videos on social media indicating that he’s inspired by ISIS, expressing a desire to kill.” ABC News reported that the videos are dark, and Jabbar’s face is not readily apparent, but the figure can be heard talking about his recent divorce and desire to kill members of his family. The suspect is also heard talking about ISIS, sources told the outlet.
