BOULDER CITY, Nev. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Authorities are investigating a suspected terrorism-related incident after a vehicle crashed through a secured gate at a Department of Water and Power substation near Boulder City, officials said Thursday.
Kevin McMahill, joined by Timothy Shea and Chris Delzotto of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office, said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
According to police, at approximately 10 a.m., Boulder City officers responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle had crashed through the perimeter fence of the substation. The caller also reported hearing gunshots following the crash.
Responding officers located a silver Nissan Sentra inside the secured facility. An adult male was found deceased in the driver’s seat with what investigators described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Multiple firearms were visible inside the vehicle.
LVMPD’s Counterterrorism Section responded to assist in the investigation. Authorities later determined the suspect had recently been reported missing from New York. Investigators, working with the Albany Police Department, learned the suspect had communicated statements to family members referencing self-harm and an intent to carry out an act that would place him “on the news.”
License plate reader data confirmed the suspect had traveled cross-country from New York to Nevada in a rental vehicle.
Explosive Materials Recovered
Out of an abundance of caution, officials said the incident was treated as terrorism-related due to the critical infrastructure location and materials discovered.
Search warrants were executed on both the suspect’s vehicle and his hotel room at the El Rancho Boulder Hotel.
Investigators recovered explosive materials and components, including:
- Thermite
- Ammonium nitrate
- Magnesium ribbon
- Metal pipes
- Gasoline
Additional items recovered from the vehicle included:
- Two shotguns
- An AR-style pistol
- Numerous loaded AR magazines with .223 ammunition
- A box of shotgun shells
- Two thermite-based incendiary devices
- A crowbar and hatchet
- A cellular phone pending forensic analysis
Officials said the suspect was also wearing soft body armor at the time of the incident.
The LVMPD Counterterrorism Section, FBI Las Vegas, and the ARMOR Task Force continue to investigate.
Sheriff McMahill emphasized that homeland security remains a priority and said the department will continue investing in personnel, technology, intelligence capabilities and partnerships to address emerging threats.
Authorities said additional details will be released as the investigation progresses.
