Authorities revealed that Matthew Livelsberger had used ChatGPT to plot the Tesla Cybertruck blast outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on New Year’s Day.
Police have “clear proof” that Livelsberger was using the artificial intelligence tool generative to “help plan his attacks”, Sheriff Kevin McMahill, of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters at a Tuesday press briefing.
Police said that Livelsberger asked police questions about explosives. He also inquired as to what might set off specific types of explosives.
McMahill believes that this is the first time on U.S. territory where ChatGPT/AI has helped a suspect create a device. He called it a “concerning” moment and a “game changer.” He said it was also “instructive,” for other law enforcement organizations, and that they are releasing information in this case.
OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, has released a statement saying that the company “is saddened by this incident” and is committed to seeing AI used responsibly.
The spokesperson said, “Our models are designed to reject harmful instructions and minimize damaging content.” “In this case, ChatGPT provided information that was already available on the Internet and warned against harmful or illegal activity.”
The spokesperson said, “We are working with law enforcement agencies to support their investigations.”
Las Vegas Assistant Sherriff Dori Koren stated that the suspect used ChatGPT to “try to determine the amount of explosives he would need to carry out the explosion he wanted to cause.”
Koren also used the app to compare fireworks to other explosives and to find out where they could be purchased. Koren stated that an “important component” of his investigations was the velocity of the gun’s bullet and “determining if it would ignite explosives.”
According to the Clark County Coroner, Livelsberger of Colorado Springs died shortly before the explosion from a gunshot wound that he had self-inflicted. Police said that two firearms were found inside the vehicle: one handgun, and one rifle.
According to Kenny Cooper, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives San Francisco Field Division, the Cybertruck contained over 60 pounds of fireworks and explosive materials. Twenty gallons of gasoline were also poured on top of them.
Investigators believe that the muzzle flash could have been the only ignition source of the fuel-air blast, although several other sources haven’t been ruled out.
Koren, a police officer in New York City, said that they also recovered on Tuesday a six-page phone document found inside the Cybertruck. The document showed “variances of grievances as well as a constant evolution” of what Koren wanted to accomplish.
Koren said that the suspect in the document was critical of Biden’s administration, and spoke of vivid memories from his time fighting and of losing his teammates. Koren says he also said he was “super high” on drinking and weed, which investigators have yet to confirm. Koren added that the document showed his mental struggles which “builds on that potential PTSD” that they’re referring.
Koren stated that “he does make a transition at one point and talks about his concern of being labeled as a terrorist by the media and how he did not intend to kill anyone other than himself.”
Police said Livelsberger wrote that he considered setting off an explosion on the Grand Canyon’s glass walkway, but changed his plans, for whatever reasons, and chose to target the Trump Hotel.
Koren stated, “He has spoken about his intention to make it as public as he can.”
The police believe that parts of the document are classified. They are working with the Department of Defense in order to determine if the entire document can be released.
Last week, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released two more letters that were found on a phone retrieved from Cybertruck. Livelsberger claimed that the country is being led by “weakness” and “those out to enrich themselves.” He also said that the letter was not a terrorist act but rather a “wake-up call.”
Livelsberger, according to police, expressed his support for Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in one of the letters found on his cell phone. According to the letters, he also expressed his disdain towards diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and income inequality, and expressed concern about homelessness.
Authorities confirmed Tuesday that Livelsberger sent an email on Friday which was shared by the podcast “Shawn Ryan Show”, a military-themed show. Federal officials confirmed that the FBI received this information after the attack.
Federal authorities stated that the evidence showed Livelsberger was “thoughtfully” prepared and acted alone during the incident. Authorities said he was not on FBI radar before the attack.
Officials said that seven people who were bystanders suffered minor injuries.
Livelsberger was a Green Beret and on leave in Germany when he died, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Army.
He was awarded many decorations for his bravery in battle, including the Bronze Star, which has a “V”, symbolizing heroism. According to Army records, Livelsberger was awarded four additional Bronze Stars. He was also awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which has three stars. Each star represents service during a different campaign in Afghanistan.
A U.S. official confirmed on Friday that Livelsberger has received mental health help over the past year.
A second U.S. official confirmed the officials believed Livelsberger to be stable enough for him to return home at Christmas. His leave was approved.
The official stated that his wife, whom investigators in Colorado Springs spoke with, told them he had been out of the home since Christmas, after a disagreement over accusations of infidelity.
Officials stated that Livelsberger’s wife told them she didn’t believe he would hurt anyone.
