The former Green Beret who drove an explosives-laden Tesla Cybertruck to Las Vegas and detonated his load at the Trump International Hotel left a suicide note saying the show was intended as a “wake-up call” for America and was not intended as an act of terrorism. , according to authorities.
“This was not a terrorist attack,” wrote Matthew Livelsberger, who police said shot and killed himself before Wednesday's blast. “It was an awakening. Americans only care about spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than with fireworks and fireworks?”
At a news conference Friday in Las Vegas, local and state law enforcement officials released portions of notes and letters suggesting the former Afghanistan Army general and Afghanistan war veteran was motivated by his experiences in the war, as well as his perspective on political events. happening in the United States.
“Why did I myself do that now? “I needed to clear my mind from the brothers I lost and free myself from the burden of the life I took,” the 37-year-old wrote.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek professional help and call 9-8-8. The United States' first three-number national mental health hotline 988 will connect callers with qualified mental health counselors. Text “HOME” to 741741 in the US and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Authorities have not yet released the soldier's full text that was found on a cell phone found inside the wrecked car.
“These are just citations,” said Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Dori Koren.
“He gives more information that varies across the spectrum about political complaints, news about conflicts elsewhere – not here – domestic issues, social problems … including personal challenges,” said Koren.
The New Year's Day blast came hours after a terrorist attack in New Orleans, in which an Army veteran drove another truck into a busy street, killing 14 and injuring about 30.
Given that both attacks appeared to be psychologically motivated, authorities initially wondered if the two incidents might be connected. Investigators have determined that the New Orleans shooter acted alone.
Among other excerpts from the writing released on Friday were passages in which Livelsberger expressed displeasure with the direction of the nation.
“Service personnel, veterans and all Americans. TIME TO WAKE UP! We are led by a weak and mindless leadership that only works to enrich themselves”
He also wrote that the United States was the best country “that ever existed!” But right now we are dying and we are going to fall.”
Livelsberger was in the Army and served as a Green Beret master sergeant. He spent most of his time at Ft. Carson in Colorado and Germany, according to authorities. He was on an approved leave from Germany when he died.
On his Facebook profile, Livelsberger once criticized the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021. He called it “the biggest foreign policy failure in the history of the United States.”
Times staff writers Summer Lin, Hannah Fry, Richard Winton and Terry Castleman contributed to this report.
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