Las Vegas News: Matthew Livelsberger, Tesla Cybertruck Explosion Suspect, Used ChatGPT to Attack Trump Tower Hotel, Police Say

LAS VEGAS– Matthew Livelsberger used ChatGPT to aid in the conspiracy Tesla Cybertruck explosion authorities revealed Tuesday outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on New Year’s Day.

Police have “clear evidence” that Livelsberger used a generative artificial intelligence tool to “assist in the planning of the attack,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told reporters at a news conference Tuesday.

Livelsberger, an active-duty Army soldier who authorities say died by suicide in the incident, asked questions about explosives and what can trigger certain types of explosives, police said.

McMahill said he believed this was the first U.S. case in which ChatGPT/AI helped a suspect build the device, calling it a “disturbing moment” and a “game changer.” He added that it is also “informative” for other law enforcement agencies and is sharing information on the case where possible.

Using ChatGPT, the suspect was trying to “try to determine the amount of explosives needed to carry out the explosion he wanted to set off,” Las Vegas Undersheriff Dori Koren said during a news conference.

He also used it to find out where to buy fireworks, in what quantities and how they compare to other explosives, Koren said. An “important element” of his investigation was the velocity of the bullet fired from the firearm and “determining whether it would ignite the explosives,” Koren said.

Livelsberger, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before the explosion, according to the Clark County coroner. Police said two firearms were found in the vehicle – one pistol and one rifle.

According to Kenny Cooper, assistant special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the cybertruck was carrying more than 60 pounds of pyrotechnics, and 20 gallons of fuel were poured over the fireworks and explosives in the back of the truck. San Francisco Field Office.

Investigators believe that the muzzle flash itself could have been the source of ignition for the fuel-air explosion, although several other possible sources have not been ruled out, he added.

Police said Tuesday that they also found a six-page document on the phone found in the Cybertruck that showed “various complaints and the continuing evolution of his plans or intentions,” Koren said.

According to Koren, in the document, the suspect was critical of the Biden administration and said he had drastic memories of the time he was in battle and lost his teammates. He also mentioned that he was “very high on weed and drinking,” which investigators are still working to confirm, Koren said. The documentary also revealed his mental problems, which “result from the potential post-traumatic stress disorder that we are talking about,” Koren said.

“At one point he transitions and says he is concerned about the media labeling him a terrorist and that he had no intention of killing anyone but himself,” Koren said.

Livelsberger’s writings indicate that he considered planning an explosion in the glass walkway at the Grand Canyon, but for some reason he changed his mind and chose the Trump hotel, police said.

“He’s been very vocal about his intention to make this as public as possible,” Koren said.

SEE ALSO: A soldier who committed suicide in Las Vegas told his ex-girlfriend about his pain and exhaustion after Afghanistan

Police believe parts of the document may be secret and are working with the Department of Defense to determine whether it can be released in its entirety.

Last week, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issued two additional letters found on cell phone recovered from Cybertruck. In the letters, Livelsberger stated that the country was led by “the weak” and those who wanted to “get rich”, while maintaining that the incident was not intended to be a terrorist attack but a “wake up call”.

In one of the letters police say they found on his phone, Livelsberger expressed support for Donald Trump and the president-elect’s allies Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He also expressed disdain for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and income inequality, and the letters show he expressed concern about homelessness.

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that Livelsberger also sent an email shared on the military podcast “Shawn Ryan Show” on Friday. Federal officials said the information was sent to the FBI after the attack.

Federal authorities said evidence showed Livelsberger was “premeditated” and acted alone during the incident. Authorities said he was not on the FBI’s radar before the attack.

Authorities said no one else was seriously injured, although seven bystanders suffered minor injuries.

Livelsberger was serving as an Army Green Beret and was on approved leave from duty in Germany at the time of his death, a U.S. Army spokesman said Thursday.

He received extensive combat decorations, including the Bronze Star with the letter “V” for valor, indicating heroism under fire. Livelsberger received four consecutive standard Bronze Star medals, according to Army records. He also won the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three stars. Each star represents service in a separate campaign in Afghanistan.

Livelsberger was receiving mental health help Friday, a U.S. official confirmed Friday.

Another U.S. official confirmed that authorities believe Livelsberger’s condition is stable enough to return home for Christmas, and his leave has been approved.

His wife, interviewed by investigators in Colorado Springs, said he had not been home since around Christmas after a dispute over allegations of infidelity, the official said.

His wife told officials she did not believe Livelsberger wanted to hurt anyone, the official told ABC News.

An OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement: “We are saddened by this incident and want AI tools to be used responsibly. Our models are designed to reject malicious instructions and minimize malicious content. In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the site on the Internet and provided warnings against malicious or illegal activities. We are cooperating with law enforcement to support their investigation.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are worried about a friend or loved one, call or text Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.