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Security increased around Chicago's Trump Tower after Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion

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Updated  January 2, 2025 10:43am CST
River North
FOX 32 Chicago

Security increased around Chicago's Trump Tower after Las Vegas car explosion

That car fire outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas is prompting some security changes here locally.

The Brief

    • A Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas prompted increased police presence around Trump Tower in Chicago.
    • The explosion, caused by fireworks in the vehicle, killed the driver and injured seven others, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was intentional or an act of terrorism.
    • Chicago police stated there is no credible threat locally but deployed officers and K9 units as a precaution.

CHICAGO - Marked police squad cars were positioned outside Trump Tower in downtown Chicago on Thursday, a day after a Cybertruck blew up outside the Trump International Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The Tesla truck was parked in the valet area outside the Las Vegas hotel and casino. It exploded and caught fire, killing the driver and injuring 7 people. There was little damage to the hotel entrance.

Authorities said it was a rented vehicle and appeared to have a load of fireworks. They have not said if it was a targeted event or terrorism but here in Chicago, police were deployed to keep an eye on Trump Tower.

Police were seen today going in and out of the building and patrolling outside. A K9 police dog walked around outside.

Former U.S. Secret Service Agent Michael Verden said on Good Day Chicago that urban environments present security challenges.

"I think it goes back to how far away you can keep those vehicles. There’s also detection devices, as far as explosives, chemical, biological, radiological, that can be in place that could detect there’s a vehicle there with explosives," Verden said.

New Orleans terrorist attack raises concerns over security lapse

Big events continue to be targeted and in the case of New Orleans, there are questions over security lapses.

Chicago police have increased security at Trump Tower before. Right now, it doesn’t appear to be at the level they had during the Democratic National Convention or on Election Day, when they used Streets and Sanitation trucks as blockades.

Authorities said Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, provided key information about the vehicle involved in the explosion. Musk posted to social media that the vehicle is best for containing an explosion.

Chicago police said there is no credible threat here.

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