Notes were recovered from a phone belonging to Master Sgt. Matthew Alan Livelsberger, who died by suicide in Las Vegas.
Police recovered notes from Master Sgt. Matthew Alan Livelsberger's phone, indicating he saw his actions as a "wake-up call" regarding what he perceived as the country's trajectory toward collapse.
The Green Beret died by suicide in a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
The vehicle, which contained explosives, caught fire during the incident.
Officials said Livelsberger, who served multiple combat tours, had PTSD.
"This was not a terrorist attack," said Livelsberger's note.
"It was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?"
Sheriff Dori Koren of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department held a news conference on Friday and revealed that in the notes, Livelsberger proceeded to "explain a diverse range of other grievances and concerns, including some political and personal in nature."
Livelsberger was stationed in Germany and had returned to the United States on leave.
"Why did I personally do it now? I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I've lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took," said Livelsberger's note.
The New Year's Day incident in Las Vegas, occurring shortly after an attack in New Orleans, prompted initial concerns about potential terrorist connections, though no links between the events have been established yet.
Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated on Friday that "we have not found any link between this individual and any other terrorist organization."
Livelsberger, based on interviews with friends, relatives, and military members he had served with, expressed no hostility towards President-elect Donald Trump.
"Although this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a heavily decorated combat veteran who is struggling with PTSD and other issues," said Evans.