Here’s what was inside the Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - The Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday was loaded with fireworks and other devices, police say.

One person – the driver – was killed in the blast. Seven people nearby were injured.

Police are investigating the explosion as possible terrorism with help from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been posting updates on social media.

Why did the Cybertruck explode?

What we know: Surveillance footage on social media showed the Cybertruck explode outside the front doors of the Trump International Hotel with no warning. There was no obvious sign of smoke or any other fire before the sudden blast, which sent debris flying and left the electric vehicle a flaming wreck.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has since released post-explosion video showing a mess of charred fireworks mortars, gas canisters, and camping fuel packed into the back of the pickup. The truck bed walls were still intact because the blast shot straight up rather than to the sides.

RELATED: A closer look at Tesla Cybertruck's design

Associated Press sources have since identified the driver as Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active duty U.S. Army servicemember. 

What was left in the Cybertruck's bed after the explosion (LVMPD image)

What we don’t know: While the back of the vehicle was loaded with explosives, it's not yet clear how the blast was triggered, or why.

Investigators say the truck had been rented in Colorado via the Turo app and tracked to Las Vegas through Tesla charging stations.

Early Thursday, FBI agents searched an address in Colorado Springs said to be connected to Livelsberger.

(LVMPD image)

It’s also not clear if the explosion was connected to the apparent terror attack along Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where a radicalized Army veteran allegedly plowed a pickup truck into New Year’s revelers, killing 15.

"We are absolutely investigating any connectivity to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks that have been occurring around the world," Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. "We aren't ruling anything out."

Timeline: Police say the truck arrived in Las Vegas around 7:30 a.m. and drove up and down Las Vegas Boulevard for about an hour.

It pulled into the valet area of the hotel shortly before the explosion occurred. Police first received word of the fiery blast around 8:40 a.m.

(LVMPD image)

What they’re saying: "Our number one goal is to ensure that we have the proper identification of the subject involved in this incident. Following that, our second objective is to determine whether this was an act of terrorism or not," said Jeremy Schwartz, acting special agent in charge for the FBI’s Las Vegas office.

"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," Elon Musk added via X.

Was the explosion a terror attack?

It’s too early to say, but investigators say they are aware of the seemingly obvious symbolism in the blast, if it proves that it was done purposefully.

"This is a Tesla truck, and we know that Elon Musk is working with President-elect Trump, and it’s the Trump Tower," McMahill said when reporters asked about possible political connections. "So there’s obviously things to be concerned about and it’s something we continue to look at."