Man, 23, Told Family He Was Going to Be ‘on the News.’ He Then Slammed His Car Full of Explosives into a Power Substation

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• A man allegedly told his family he was “going to be on the news” before driving a car full of explosives into a Nevada electrical substation during a suspected act of terrorism.

• Police said 23-year-old Dawson Maloney referred to himself as his mother’s “dead terrorist son” in a text message he sent to her before the incident.

• Investigators said they found books related to “extremist ideologies,” including those related to “white supremacy and anti-government ideology,” in the Nevada hotel room where Maloney was staying.

A man allegedly told his family he was “going to be on the news.” He then drove a car filled with explosives to an electrical substation in Nevada. suspected terrorist actOfficials said:

The City of Boulder Police Department (BCPD) received a 911 call around 10 a.m. local time on Thursday, February 19, reporting that a vehicle had crashed into the secure gate of the Department of Water and Power substation. newsletter From the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

The caller also reported hearing gunshots from inside the vehicle, according to LVMPD.

Upon arrival, authorities found a deceased adult male in a silver Nissan Sentra wearing soft body armor.

He was later identified as 23-year-old Dawson Maloney of Albany, New York, and was determined to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Authorities found two additional shotguns, an AR-style handgun, loaded magazines and ammunition, as well as two thermite-based incendiary devices in the vehicle, among other items, according to LVMPD’s news release.

Investigators later learned that Maloney had recently been reported missing in New York, and Maloney allegedly told family members that he intended to commit an act that would put him “in the news.”

PEOPLE Puzzler puzzle is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

License plate reader data confirmed that Maloney had driven from New York to Nevada in a rental car, according to authorities.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the incident has been treated as terrorism-related due to the location and materials discovered,” LVMPD said, adding: “There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime news? Sign up PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter For breaking crime news, ongoing trial news and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

On Friday, February 20, press conferenceLVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Maloney referred to him as his mother’s “dead terrorist son” in a text message he sent to him before he died.

Investigators also said they found books related to “extremist ideologies,” including those related to “white supremacy and anti-government ideology,” in the Nevada hotel room where Maloney was staying.

The FBI is currently assisting with the investigation. “We do not have any updates to share at this time,” a spokesperson for the organization told PEOPLE.

LVMPD and BCPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Feb. 21.

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, text “STRONG” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Read the original article People