Authorities in Nevada are investigating a “counter terrorism incident” involving a person who allegedly tried to ram a car into an L.A. energy and water facility close to Boulder Metropolis, Nevada, Thursday afternoon, in keeping with officers.
The suspect was recognized by authorities as Dawson Maloney, 23, of Albany, New York. He died of an obvious self-inflicted gunshot wound to the pinnacle, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division Sheriff Kevin McMahill mentioned at a press convention Friday.
Authorities mentioned they recovered firearms and explosive supplies in Maloney’s resort room.
Regulation enforcement title the suspect Dawson Noah Maloney as the one who crashed by means of fence at an influence facility exterior of Boulder Metropolis, Nv., Feb. 20, 2026.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division
The incident started unfolding at round 10 a.m. native time Friday, a 911 caller reported a car crashing by means of a secured gate on the energy substation. The caller reported that the suspect appeared deceased and pictures had been heard after the crash, in keeping with McMahill.
On the press convention, investigators confirmed movies of a car driving as much as the power earlier than ramming by means of the gate. The car was stopped when it bumped into massive industrial wire reels, McMahill mentioned.
The suspect allegedly traveled from New York with the intent to trigger chaos, in keeping with a supply. Maloney was reported lacking from Albany and made contact together with his household simply earlier than the tried ramming, in keeping with McMahill.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks throughout a press convention, Feb. 20, 2026.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division
“The suspect had made a number of statements referencing self hurt and alluding to committing an act that will place him ‘on the information.’ In a message to his mom, the suspect referred to himself as a ‘lifeless terrorist son’ and said he felt he had an obligation to hold out his act,” McMahill mentioned.
The suspect was additionally found to be carrying delicate physique armor on the time of the incident, McMahill mentioned.
“These findings considerably elevate the seriousness of this incident,” McMahill mentioned.
By license plate reader information, investigators decided the suspect drove from New York to Nevada in a rental car, in keeping with McMahill.
Investigators consider he rented a car on Feb. 12 then departed the realm someday round Feb. 14, crossing the nation to Boulder Metropolis, in keeping with FBI Particular Agent in Cost Christopher Delzotto.
Whereas executing a search on the suspect’s resort, investigators discovered books with extremist ideologies “together with proper and left wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy and anti-government ideology,” McMahill mentioned.
“We additionally recovered explosive supplies and parts to incorporate thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metallic pipes and gasoline,” McMahill mentioned.
Investigators discovered a number of firearms discovered within the car that rammed into the gate together with two shotguns, an AR-style pistol, quite a few loaded AR magazines, a field of shotgun shells and two flame throwers, in keeping with McMahill.
There was no indication of any injury to the power and there’s no menace to the neighborhood, in keeping with officers.
Investigators haven’t but decided the suspect’s motivation behind the assault.
