A 23-year-old man armed with an arsenal of weapons, explosives, and extremist literature deliberately rammed a power substation near Las Vegas in what authorities are investigating as a premeditated terrorist attack on America’s critical infrastructure.
Story Snapshot
- Dawson Noah Maloney traveled cross-country from Albany, New York, with weapons and explosives to attack an LADWP power facility connected to Hoover Dam
- Authorities recovered two shotguns, an AR-style pistol, flamethrowers with thermite, and bomb-making materials including ammonium nitrate and metal pipes
- Suspect told family he intended to become a “terrorist” and get himself “on the news” before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Multi-ideological extremist literature spanning right-wing, left-wing, environmental, and anti-government movements found in his hotel room
- No damage to critical infrastructure occurred, but the incident exposes vulnerabilities in protecting America’s power grid from domestic threats
Cross-Country Journey to Attack Critical Infrastructure
Dawson Noah Maloney, 23, of Albany, New York, drove a rental Nissan Sentra through a secured gate at a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power electrical substation near Boulder City, Nevada, on February 19, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m. The facility, located 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas, operates in connection with Hoover Dam and transfers power to the Los Angeles basin. Boulder City Police responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle crash and gunshots, discovering Maloney dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while holding a shotgun. His family had reported him missing prior to the attack, during which time he traveled across the country assembling his arsenal.
Alarming Arsenal Reveals Premeditated Terror Plot
Law enforcement’s systematic search of Maloney’s rental vehicle uncovered a disturbing cache: two shotguns, an AR-style pistol, numerous loaded AR magazines with .223 ammunition, shotgun shells, two flamethrowers containing thermite material, a crowbar, hatchet, and soft body armor he was wearing. Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated these findings “significantly elevate the seriousness of this incident.” The LVMPD counterterrorism unit and FBI Las Vegas executed electronic search warrants and deployed an armor task force to systematically clear the vehicle for secondary threats, reflecting concerns about additional explosive devices that proved well-founded.
Hotel Room Search Uncovers Bomb-Making Materials and Extremist Ideology
A search warrant executed at the El Rancho Boulder Hotel, where Maloney had been staying, revealed extensive explosive materials and components including thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes, and gasoline. Investigators also recovered multiple books related to extremist ideologies spanning right-wing extremism, left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy, and anti-government ideology. This diverse ideological collection suggests a threat profile that doesn’t fit traditional categorizations, raising concerns about individuals radicalized across multiple extremist movements. The discovery underscores how modern domestic terrorists may draw from various ideological sources to justify attacks on American infrastructure.
Family Communications Revealed Terrorist Intent
During his cross-country journey, Maloney communicated with family members about his intentions in chilling detail. He referenced self-harm and stated his plan to commit an act that would place him “on the news.” In a message to his mother, he explicitly referred to himself as a “terrorist,” demonstrating premeditation and ideological commitment to the planned attack. These communications show deliberate planning rather than impulsive action. The FBI and LVMPD continue analyzing Maloney’s recovered cellular phone for additional evidence of his radicalization pathway, contacts, and potential connections to extremist networks or online communities that may have influenced his attack planning.
Infrastructure Vulnerability Exposed Despite No Major Damage
While the LADWP confirmed there were no impacts or disruptions to operations and Sheriff McMahill emphasized “no indication of major damage to any of the critical infrastructure,” the incident exposed serious vulnerabilities in protecting America’s power grid. Power substations have been identified as potential targets across the ideological spectrum, and this facility’s strategic importance due to its Hoover Dam connection made it particularly attractive to someone seeking maximum impact. The fact that Maloney successfully breached perimeter security with a vehicle demonstrates gaps in physical protection measures at facilities critical to millions of Americans’ electricity supply.
Law enforcement confirmed no ongoing threat to the public as of February 20, 2026, with the investigation continuing under FBI and LVMPD counterterrorism oversight. The rapid coordination between Boulder City Police, LVMPD, and federal authorities through the Joint Terrorism Task Force demonstrates established protocols for responding to attacks on critical infrastructure. However, this incident reinforces urgent questions about identifying individuals exhibiting multi-ideological extremist interests before they act, enhancing security at vulnerable facilities nationwide, and preventing similar attacks on America’s essential services that families depend on daily.
Sources:
Nevada terror incident substation crash – KTVU
Las Vegas Boulder City terror investigation – Los Angeles Times
