Thermite and Guns at Electrical Substation: LVMPD Thwarts a Potential Catastrophe
By Ward ClarkWe focus a lot on the various forces of Islamic terrorism around the world, and that's justified; there are far too many jihadi goblins out there. But once in a while we are reminded that we have our own, home-grown nutjobs, too. One such is one Dawson Noah Maloney, who sent himself to his own just deserts after an aborted attack on a Las Vegas-area power substation.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has released some chilling details. Here's the thread:
#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
The initial X post in the thread continues:
...to provide an update regarding a critical incident that began last night near Boulder City.
On Feb. 19, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Boulder City Police received a 911 call reporting a vehicle had crashed through a secured gate at a Department of Water and Power substation. The caller also reported hearing gunshots after the crash. Responding officers located a silver Nissan Sentra that had breached the facility’s perimeter fence and come to rest inside the secured area.
Officers discovered a deceased adult male in the driver’s seat suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Multiple firearms were observed inside the vehicle.
There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.
A water and power substation is what you can only consider a high-value target. Water as much as power, in this desert region; without water, or if the water supply is compromised, it seems like Las Vegas would grow very thirsty very quickly.
Here's where that substation is located; you can see its proximity to the city.
Oddly, the attempted attack was allegedly carried out by someone who had driven all the way from New York, which is curious in itself. Why come all that way? Why Las Vegas?LVMPD’s Counterterrorism Section responded to assist with the investigation. Working with the Albany Police Department, investigators learned the suspect had recently been reported missing out of New York and had communicated statements to family members referencing self-harm and… pic.twitter.com/eyaCxSNBBG
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) February 20, 2026
Some of the items found in the hotel room pic.twitter.com/niaQspe3A7
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) February 20, 2026
One of the items labeled as a flamethrower pic.twitter.com/gEybUdbmED
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) February 20, 2026
The suspect was also wearing soft body armor at the time of the incident.
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) February 20, 2026
LVMPD’s Counterterrorism Section, FBI Las Vegas, and the ARMOR Task Force continue working diligently to advance the investigation.
Homeland security remains a top priority for Sheriff McMahill and LVMPD…
There's a lot more at the link.
Here's the thing: The preparations apparently taken by the suspect, along with the cross-country journey, would seem to indicate that some thought went into this. Power and water substations are installations that are, in most places, relatively soft targets. The materials confiscated by investigators from the vehicle and the hotel could have destroyed a large portion of this substation, and repairs could have taken months. The fencing that the accused's vehicle so easily breached would hold off curiosity-seekers and random hooligans, but as we see very plainly, an ordinary passenger car can breach that perimeter pretty easily.
This is a developing story. We will bring you updates as events warrant.
![]() |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

