Two separate New Year's Day attacks that claimed multiple lives have revealed an unexpected military connection between the perpetrators.
According to Denver7, Matthew Livelsberger, responsible for the Las Vegas Tesla Cybertruck explosion, and Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who carried out the deadly New Orleans rampage, both served at Fort Bragg military base, though authorities found no evidence they knew each other.
The attacks, which occurred within hours of each other, resulted in devastating casualties. Livelsberger's explosive-laden Tesla detonated outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing himself and injuring seven others, while Jabbar's truck rampage through New Orleans' French Quarter left 15 dead and dozens injured during New Year's celebrations.
Both suspects utilized vehicles rented through the Turo car-sharing marketplace to execute their attacks. Livelsberger, an Army Green Beret who had been serving since 2006, was confirmed to be on approved leave during the incident. He had obtained the Cybertruck in Colorado Springs before driving it to Nevada.
Jabbar, who served in the Army from 2007 to 2020, had roles in human resources and information technology. His military career included a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010, after which he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2015, ultimately achieving the rank of staff sergeant.
Federal investigators have been thoroughly examining both incidents. While the suspects' shared military background initially raised concerns about a potential connection, FBI officials in New Orleans stated there was "no definitive link" between the attacks.
The connection to Fort Bragg, now known by a different name, has drawn significant attention from investigators. The North Carolina-based installation, home to the Army special forces command, served as a common point in both suspects' military careers.
Authorities confirmed that the men's paths likely crossed both at Fort Bragg and during deployments to Afghanistan. However, they emphasized that no evidence suggested the two were assigned to the same unit or had any direct interaction.
Law enforcement officials have been particularly focused on Livelsberger's Colorado Springs connections. Federal agents were observed monitoring multiple addresses associated with him while awaiting search warrants.
A Turo spokesperson addressed the use of their rental vehicles in both attacks, stating that neither suspect's background check revealed potential security threats. The company's statement reflected the challenges of preventing such incidents through standard screening procedures.
In New Orleans, investigators initially suggested Jabbar might have had accomplices but later confirmed he acted alone. The investigation also uncovered an IED at his rental property, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
The timing of these attacks significantly impacted New Year's celebrations and scheduled events in both cities. In New Orleans, the attacks cast a shadow over the planned College Football Playoff game, while Las Vegas authorities dealt with the aftermath of the explosion at a prominent hotel.
The tragic events of New Year's Day 2025 involved two former military servicemen who independently launched attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans. Matthew Livelsberger's Tesla explosion at the Trump International Hotel and Shamsud-Din Jabbar's truck rampage in the French Quarter resulted in multiple casualties and raised questions about preventing such incidents. While both suspects served at Fort Bragg and had deployments in Afghanistan, investigators found no direct connection between their actions, treating them as separate acts of terrorism that have prompted renewed focus on security measures and threat assessment protocols.
