LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — One person is dead and seven others are injured following the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck at the main entrance to the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel Wednesday morning.
Two sources close to the investigation tell the 8 News Now Investigators that they believe the explosion was an intentional act and not an accident.
The new year was barely eight hours old when Clark County firefighters and Las Vegas Metropolitan police responded to the explosion and fire around 8:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of Fashion Show Drive, across from Fashion Show Mall and just west of the Las Vegas Strip.During a news conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said “We saw smoke start showing from the vehicle and a large explosion occurs.” He added, “There is one dead individual in the Cybertruck and I don’t know if it’s male or female at this time. We are investigating a number of leads.”
A Tesla Cybertruck caught fire at the entrance of Trump Int’l Tower in Las Vegas on Jan. 1, 2025. (Credit: Alcides Antunes)
Clark County Fire Deputy Chief Thomas Touchstone said an engine arrived at the scene within minutes. “There were multiple persons with injuries located around the vehicle.”
Of the seven people who were injured, two were transported to UMC for treatment. McMahill said all the injuries were minor and there doesn’t appear to be any further threat.
A witness who asked to remain anonymous provided this photo of smoke at Trump International Tower near the Las Vegas Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, following a car fire.
The sound of explosions followed by smoke raised concern for people staying at or near the hotel. One witness, who asked to remain anonymous and was staying at Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip, said he heard several loud booms.
“It was shaking the glass it was so loud,” he said. “I looked out and see smoke and me and my wife booked it out of there,” he said.
Las Vegas Trump Int’l Hotel guests being evacuated following vehicle fire and explosion on Jan. 1, 2025. (KLAS)
Police block off Sammy Davis Jr. Drive at Fashion Show Drive near the Trump Int’l Hotel following a car fire. (KLAS))
Las Vegas Trump Int’l Hotel guests being evacuated following vehicle fire and explosion on Jan. 1, 2025. (KLAS)
Police block off Sammy Davis Jr. Drive at Fashion Show Drive near the Trump Int’l Hotel following a car fire. (KLAS))
Police block off Sammy Davis Jr. Drive at Fashion Show Drive near the Trump Int’l Hotel following a car fire. (KLAS))
Las Vegas Trump Int’l Hotel guests being evacuated following vehicle fire and explosion on Jan. 1, 2025. (KLAS)
Police block off Sammy Davis Jr. Drive at Fashion Show Drive near the Trump Int’l Hotel following a car fire. (KLAS))
Las Vegas Trump Int’l Hotel guests being evacuated following vehicle fire and explosion on Jan. 1, 2025. (KLAS)
Guests who were in the process of checking out of the hotel were seen with their luggage walking along the sidewalk. Police said the hotel was eventually evacuated and guests were taken to Resorts World while the investigation is underway.
Guests told 8 News Now that the evacuation was chaotic and it appeared there wasn’t an evacuation plan in place.
Las Vegas Trump Int’l Hotel guests be evacuated following vehicle fire and explosion on Jan. 1, 2025. (KLAS)
“Obviously a Cybertruck, the Trump hotel, there are lots of questions we have to answer,” McMahill said police are taking all precautions because of the terrorist incident in New Orleans overnight.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation. Las Vegas Special Agent Jeremy Schwartz said he knows the community has questions but there aren’t a lot of answers at the moment.
Sammy Davis Junior Drive is closed to traffic at Fashion Show Drive.
McMahill said there could be another news conference later in the day.
