Las Vegas, Navada: The highly-decorated Green Beret who died by suicide in a dramatic explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day was giving a "wake-up call" for the nation's problems, investigators have revealed.

Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a soldier from Colorado Springs, Colorado, left notes on his cellphone explaining his actions. The notes described his intent to spark national attention on issues plaguing the United States, including political, societal, and global crises. Livelsberger, who had served in the Army since 2006 with two deployments to Afghanistan, expressed deep personal anguish and remorse for lives lost during his military career.

"This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence," Livelsberger wrote in one note. "What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives."

The explosion, which occurred in the Cybertruck, caused minor injuries to seven people but left the Trump International Hotel virtually unscathed. Authorities confirmed Livelsberger acted alone and said his letters indicated no malice toward President-elect Donald Trump, urging Americans to "rally around" both Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Livelsberger's dramatic act has been linked to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and the emotional toll of combat. In text messages shared by Alicia Arritt, a former girlfriend and Army nurse, Livelsberger confided that he endured severe pain, exhaustion, and traumatic memories from his deployments.

Livelsberger served with distinction as a Green Beret, a highly trained US Army Special Forces unit specializing in unconventional warfare. He received five Bronze Stars, including one with a valor device for bravery under fire, as well as other commendations for his service in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo. Recently returning from Germany, he was on approved leave at the time of the incident.

Investigators uncover details

Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren revealed that Tesla engineers assisted in retrieving data from the Cybertruck, mapping Livelsberger's journey from Colorado through New Mexico and Arizona to Las Vegas. Investigators are reviewing extensive digital evidence, including photos, videos, and web history, to piece together his motives.

Among the items recovered from the vehicle were firearms, fireworks, a passport, military ID, credit cards, an iPhone, and a smartwatch. Authorities confirmed the firearms were legally purchased but have not explained how Livelsberger simultaneously shot himself and triggered the explosion.

'A normal guy'

Neighbours in Livelsberger's Colorado Springs hometown expressed shock, describing him as "a normal guy." Cindy Helwig, a neighbour, recalled lending him a tool to repair his SUV shortly before the tragedy. Investigators also searched Livelsberger's townhouse as part of their inquiry.

"This tragic incident highlights the struggles some veterans face after service," said FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans, who characterized Livelsberger's death as a "sensational but deeply personal" act rooted in unresolved trauma.

The explosion occurred hours after a separate incident in New Orleans, where 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd, killing at least 14 before being shot by police.

AP