LAS VEGAS - The decorated US special forces soldier who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas shot himself in the head before the blast, authorities said Thursday, adding that his motivation was still "unknown."
Matthew Livelsberger, a member of the elite Green Berets, took his own life in the rented vehicle filled with fuel containers and fireworks, which then erupted into flames, officials said.
Livelsberger's body was burned beyond recognition but Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill said authorities had "a lot of confidence" that he was the sole occupant of the Cybertruck.
Las Vegas police said he had been identified as the "driver" of the vehicle, and that the coroner had ruled he had died by suicide.
Livelsberger, identified through his military ID, passport and credit cards, was found with a gun at his feet, McMahill told reporters at a press conference in Las Vegas.
"The motivation at this point is unknown," FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said.
Evans said there is "no information that we're aware of right now that connects this individual to any terrorist organisation around the world."
Kenny Cooper, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Livelsberger had legally purchased two semi-automatic handguns on Monday which were found in the remains of the vehicle.
Video footage outside the Trump hotel shows the stainless steel truck parked at the building's glass entrance early Wednesday, then bursting into flames, followed by smaller explosions that appeared similar to fireworks.
Seven people were wounded in the blast.