Posted on: January 3, 2025, 05:29h.
Last updated on: January 3, 2025, 05:29h.
The Colorado man — who shot himself and set off an explosion outside of Trump International Hotel on New Year’s Day — sent a manifesto a day before the Las Vegas blast, according to the recipient.
The rambling message allegedly was emailed by Matthew Livelsberger, 37, to a retired US Army intelligence officer, Sam Shoemate.
Some of the note reportedly tried to explain why drones were appearing on the East Coast. He appears to blame their presence on China.
“China has been launching them from the Atlantic from submarines for years, but this activity recently has picked up,” the note states, according to the DailyMail.com. “China is poised to attack anywhere in the east coast.”
In the manifesto, Livelsberger also claimed to have been followed for a week by the FBI or Homeland Security agents, according to Shoemate. Livelsberger claims to have known about U.S. war crimes, too, committed against civilians, Shoemate added.
Shoemate sent the manifesto to podcaster Shawn Ryan and it was the subject of a recent show. The email also was sent to the FBI and Army officials.
Police said on Friday they haven’t definitively confirmed that Livelsberger wrote the manifesto.
Las Vegas police on Friday did detail Livelsberger’s death by suicide.
It was revealed Livelsberger, while sitting in a Tesla Cybertruck, put a gun into his mouth, discharged the weapon and the bullet came out the left side of his head, Clark County Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren revealed.
At the same time, Livelsberger activated the explosion, police said. His death was described by police as a suicide.
His body was burned beyond recognition. The Clark County coroner’s office eventually was able to positively identify him through DNA tests and other means. Seven other people near the truck suffered minor injuries from the explosion.
In a note released by Las Vegas police on Friday Livelsberger wrote in part, “We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves.”
“…[R]ight now we are terminally ill and headed toward collapse,” a second note added. “This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?”
Why did I personally do it now? I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took,” the note added.
In addition, Spencer Evans, who directs the FBI Las Vegas office, said on Friday that Livelsberger “likely suffered from PTSD” [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder], as well as other issues.
Evans added “there is no evidence” that the explosion in Las Vegas is connected to the New Year’s Day deadly attack in New Orleans. He said similarities were coincidences. Moreover, no evidence suggests that Livelsberger and the man accused in the deadly ramming of people in New Orleans, Shamsud Din Jabbar, ever knew each other, Evans said.
Livelsberger had no ties to terrorist organizations, according to Evans. Livelsberger also acted alone, Evans added.
He Could Have Made Deadlier Bomb
It appears, Matthew Livelsberger didn’t use his extensive skills in creating an explosion.
Matthew Livelsberger’s uncle, Dean Livelsberger, recently told The Independent his nephew “could have fashioned a bomb that would have obliterated half of that hotel if he seriously wanted to hurt others.”
Matt was a very skilled warrior, and he would be able to make — if it was him, and if he did this — he would’ve been able to make a more sophisticated explosive than using propane tanks and camping fuel,” Dean Livelsberger said.
Decorated Military Career
Matthew Livelsberger served in the Army for about two decades. He served in the Green Berets and received training in military communications, the New York Post reported.
During his military career, he served in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Congo. He also was presented with two Bronze Stars, a combat infantry badge, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor.
Dean Livelsberger added that Matthew Livelsberger was “100% a patriot” and a “Rambo-type.”
He loved [Donald] Trump, and he was always a very, very patriotic soldier, a patriotic American. It’s one of the reasons he was in Special Forces for so many years.”
Those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide, can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
