Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday for his help as authorities investigate the Cybertruck explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel that left seven people injured.
“I have to thank Elon Musk specifically,” McMahill said. “He gave us quite a bit of additional information in regards to how the vehicle was locked after it exploded” and tracking where the vehicle came from through Tesla charging stations.
“He sent that directly to us, so I appreciate his help,” he added.
Local authorities first received a report of an explosion and fire at Trump International Hotel at around 8:40 a.m. local time. The vehicle pulled up in front of the hotel and was seen emitting smoke before the explosion, police said.
Police said they are working to identify the driver and believe it was an isolated incident. The driver died in the blast.
The FBI and other agencies are still investigating if it was an act of terrorism and if there is any connection to a Wednesday morning attack in New Orleans, when a 42-year-old man drove a truck through Bourbon Street and killed at least 15 people.
McMahill said there are no indications the attack in Las Vegas is connected to ISIS after a flag was found in the truck used in the New Orleans attack.
One person was killed and seven others were injured in Las Vegas, with McMahill pointing out the Cybertruck stayed intact during the explosion, limiting damage.
“The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards. Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken,” Musk added in a post on the social media platform X.
