need to know
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A man allegedly told his family he would be “in the news” before driving a car packed with explosives into a Nevada substation in an alleged act of terrorism
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Police say 23-year-old Dawson Maloney called himself the “son of a dead terrorist” in a message he sent to his mother before the incident.
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Investigators said they found books related to “extremist ideologies” in Maloney’s Nevada hotel room, including some related to “white supremacy and anti-government ideologies.”
A man allegedly told his family he was going to be “on the news”. Authorities said he then drove a car packed with explosives into a Nevada substation on suspicion of terrorism.
According to a press release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the Boulder Metropolitan Police Department (BCPD) received a 911 call at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, February 19, reporting that a vehicle had broken through the security gate of the Department of Water and Power substation.
The caller also reported hearing gunshots coming from inside the vehicle, according to LVMPD.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook
Upon arrival, authorities found the deceased adult male driving a silver Nissan Sentra and wearing soft body armor.
He was later identified as Dawson Maloney, 23, of Albany, N.Y., and determined to have died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Authorities found two additional shotguns, an AR-style pistol, loaded magazines and ammunition, and two thermite-based incendiary devices in the vehicle, among other items, according to a news release from LVMPD.
Investigators later learned that Maloney, who had recently been reported missing in New York, allegedly told his family that he planned to carry out a move that would put him “on the news.”
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License plate reader data confirmed Maloney drove from New York to Nevada in a rental car, authorities said.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook
“Out of an abundance of caution, this incident is being treated as terrorism-related due to the location and materials found,” LVMPD said, adding, “There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.”
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During a press conference on Friday, February 20, LVMPD Sergeant Kevin McMahill said Maloney referred to himself as the “son of a dead terrorist” in a letter to his mother before his death.
Investigators said they also found books related to “extremist ideologies” in Maloney’s Nevada hotel room, including some related to “white supremacy and anti-government ideologies.”
The FBI is currently assisting in the investigation. A spokesperson for the organization told PEOPLE, “We do not have any updates to share at this time.”
LVMPD and BCPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, February 21.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected with a certified crisis counselor.
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