Posted on: January 9, 2025, 01:33h.
Last updated on: January 9, 2025, 01:49h.
Guest evacuation went properly after the New Year’s Day explosion in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, local fire officials said in a recent statement.
Clark County Fire Department authorities didn’t criticize the hotel for the way safety systems worked after the incident, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS. Typically, fire alarms at the hotel are supposed to sound on the floor where there’s a fire, as well as on the floors above and below the incident.
But because of the unique situation, the alarm sounded differently, but in the correct areas.
In this case, alarms were sounding in the lobby due to sprinkler activation in the porte-cochere,” a fire department official told KLAS. “Additionally, smoke detectors on the mezzanine level, which is the next level above the lobby, were activated and this, in turn, activated the alarms on the floor above, which is the pool deck level.”
Also, the hotel properly gave guests the option of leaving or remaining in their rooms once it was determined there was no longer a threat, the official added.
The coordination with LVMPD [Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department], our regional partners and the hotel property was exceptional, and we appreciate the good working relationships we have..,” the statement continued.
Following the explosion, LVMPD officers designated an outdoor location for guests who were leaving the Trump Hotel. RTC buses provided transportation.
Poor Communications, Insufficient Help
Several hotel guests took to social media and made comments to reporters complaining there was poor communication. They also claimed there was a lack of hotel employees to assist guests as they climbed down numerous flights of stairs.
Many couldn’t reach their luggage or vehicles for hours. Even though numerous visitors who were at the Trump property chose to relocate temporarily to the nearby Resorts World Las Vegas, some guests said they didn’t even know that was an option.
Several guests complained they didn’t get email or texts from the hotel as a way to keep them informed.
The incident took place at about 8:40 a.m. on January 1. The suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo., set off the explosion in a Tesla Cybertruck and shot himself while in the vehicle. He died by suicide, officials said.
Seven people suffered minor injuries but there was limited damage to the hotel building even though the truck was parked by the doors to the hotel lobby.
Fireworks, flammable liquids, and other materials in the truck led to the explosion.
Local police and federal agents continue to investigate the incident late this week. They are trying to identify how the explosion occurred. It’s possible the muzzle flash of the firearm ignited fumes, according to officials quoted by Las Vegas TV station KSNV.
Artificial Intelligence Used
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said earlier this week that Livelsberger used ChatGPT, a form of generative artificial intelligence (AI), to research weapons and explosives.
The information he searched related to explosive targets, the speed that ammo could travel, and the legality of fireworks, according to National Public Radio.
Livelsberger also used ChatGPT to find out about Tannerite. He wanted to see if the material could be exploded by using a firearm, officials said.
He also used AI to locate a gun dealer in Denver. Livelsberger purchased two guns in Denver days before the explosion.
“This is the first incident that I’m aware of on US soil where ChatGPT is utilized to help an individual build a particular device,” McMahill said at a press conference. “It’s a concerning moment.”
