The suspect in Thursday’s exploding Cyber Truck incident in Las Vegas had obtained an online degree at Vermont’s Norwich University. The deceased suspect, Matthew Livelsberger, age 37, attended the Northfield-based school before becoming a U.S. Army Green Beret. The school sent the following statement to VDC.
“Above all, our hearts go out to those impacted,” wrote Marc Kolb, the Director of Campus and Athletic Communications’ Marketing & Communications Office at the nation’s oldest military school.
He continued, “We do not have additional details about the incident at this time, and we have not been contacted by law enforcement. We can confirm that the person identified in media reports completed an online degree in 2019 in strategic studies and defense analysis.”
Who was Livelsberger?
Livelsberger resided in Colorado Springs and had reportedly rented the Tesla cybertruck truck. He has a military background that includes multiple tours in Afghanistan. The Associated Press reported on Livelsberger’s Vermont connection, as well as his military background.
“Three U.S. officials said Livelsberger was an active-duty Army member who spent time at the base formerly known as Fort Bragg, a massive Army base in North Carolina that is home to Army special forces command,” their report states. “The officials also spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details of his service.”
His career brought him through the same military base as the suspect in the recent New Orleans truck/gun attack. The New York Post reports, “The terrorist behind the New Orleans massacre and the Special Forces soldier who detonated a Cybertruck full of explosives outside the Trump International Las Vegas hotel on Wednesday both served on the same North Carolina Army base, the Post has learned.”
On social media, folks have been taking note of the bomber’s time at Norwich.
Jessica Stephanie from Vermont wrote on X, “Cybertruck guy actually went to college up here in Vermont. 
According to a few articles read/viewed, they have said he went to Norwich. Very reputable military college. You can either go as a civilian or cadet however, very hard school to be accepted to.”
Douglas MacGregor from Ottowa wrote on X, “Norwich University isn’t just “a Vermont university”. It’s the oldest private military college in the United States. My brother went to Norwich University as a civilian and captained their championship soccer team. I have been there several times myself. It’s a fantastic institution with a proud history.”
What happened?
The driver of the vehicle, Livelsberger, was also the lone victim in what’s an apparent suicide attack. Several other bystanders were also seriously injured. It is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism.
NBC News reported, “A Tesla Cybertruck exploded and burst into flames Wednesday morning just outside the entrance of Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, killing a person inside the vehicle and injuring several others standing nearby, local officials said.”
The report states the truck stopped for about 15 seconds before the explosion. Police discovered gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and fireworks in the back of the truck’s remains.
Norwich offers 50+ programs of study online. “Designed to accommodate your varied work schedules and lifestyles, our programs are delivered through NU Online, a virtual and highly interactive learning platform connecting Norwich’s exceptional faculty and curricula to students across the country and the world,” the Norwich website says.
