Las Vegas Police Investigate Car Ramming into Power Substation as Terrorism-Related Event
By JESSICA HILL
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas police are currently investigating a car ramming incident at a power substation in Boulder City as a potential terrorism-related event.
During a news conference on Friday, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.
The incident occurred when a vehicle crashed through a secured gate at the substation in Boulder City, located about 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Dawson Maloney from Albany, New York, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Prior to the crash, Maloney had communicated with his family about self-harm and mentioned committing an act that would garner media attention. He referred to himself as a terrorist in a message sent to his mother, according to police.
Authorities discovered explosive materials and various books on extremist ideologies in Maloney’s hotel room, including literature on right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacism, and anti-government ideology.
Maloney, a student at Albany Law School, was found with firearms and other weapons in his rental car, along with “soft-body armor.” Additionally, a 3D printer and firearm components were recovered from his residence in Albany.
Boulder City, known for its historic significance and being home to the Hoover Dam, experienced this incident at a power substation owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The facility plays a crucial role in transferring power to the Los Angeles basin.
Chief Timothy Shea of the Boulder City Police confirmed that there was no major damage to critical infrastructure and no service disruptions as a result of the incident.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar event in 2023 when a man rammed a car into a solar power facility near Las Vegas. The previous attack raised concerns about the security of the nation’s electricity transmission network.
Albany Law School expressed sadness over the passing of Dawson Maloney, describing it as a tragic off-campus incident.
