A New York man carrying multiple firearms drove his rental car through a secured gate at a Nevada power facility Thursday before taking his own life, authorities said.
#BREAKING TERRORISM UPDATE – JOINT INVESTIGATION
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) February 20, 2026
LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill was joined this afternoon by Chief Timothy Shea of the Boulder City Police Department and Special Agent in Charge Chris Delzotto of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office to provide an update regarding a… pic.twitter.com/8cC7huYthL
Authorities identified the suspect as Dawson Maloney, 23, of Albany, Fox News reported. Officers found him wearing soft body armor and gripping a shotgun. Before the attack, Maloney had contacted his mother and allegedly called himself a “dead terrorist son,” telling her he felt obligated to carry out the act. (RELATED: Alleged Antifa Leader Who Fled FBI Now Set To Testify In Terrorism Trial)
The weapons stockpile inside his vehicle included two shotguns, an AR-style pistol, loaded magazines, flamethrowers containing thermite, a crowbar, and a hatchet, according to Fox News. Investigators searching his hotel room recovered explosive components including ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes and gasoline.
“These findings significantly elevate the seriousness of this incident,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill said, according to Fox News.
Maloney rented the vehicle Feb. 12 and departed Albany two days later, FBI SAC Delzotto told reporters, according to ABC 15. Investigators tracked his cross-country journey through automated plate-reading technology. A source familiar with the investigation told ABC News that authorities believe Maloney traveled west “with the intent to cause chaos.”
FBI agents executed two search warrants at Albany residences and recovered firearm components along with a 3D printer, ABC 15 reported. Hotel room searches also turned up books covering a range of extremist ideologies, including white supremacist, anti-government, environmental extremist, and both right-wing and left-wing materials.
The targeted facility moves electricity generated at Hoover Dam to the Los Angeles basin, CBS News reported. Boulder City Police Chief Shea confirmed no major infrastructure damage occurred and no service interruptions resulted from the breach.
Albany Law School confirmed Maloney was a student scheduled to graduate in 2027. “We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of one of our law students, Dawson Maloney, in an off-campus incident,” spokesman Tom Torello said in a statement to CBS News.
Authorities said there is no ongoing public threat.
