Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook

A man allegedly told his family he was going to be "on the news," before he drove a car full of explosives into a Nevada power substation in a suspected act of terrorism

Dawson Maloney, 23, referred to himself as his mother's "dead terrorist son" in a message sent to her before the incident, police said

Investigators said they found books relating to “extremist ideologies” in the Nevada hotel room where Maloney was staying, including some pertaining to “white supremacy and anti-government ideology"

A man allegedly told his family he was going to be “on the news.” Then, he drove a car full of explosives into a Nevada power substation in a suspected act of terrorism, authorities said.

The Boulder City Police Department (BCPD) received a 911 call at around 10:00 a.m local time on Thursday, Feb. 19, reporting that a vehicle had crashed through a secured gate at a Department of Water and Power substation, according to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

The caller also reported hearing gunshots from inside the vehicle, per the LVMPD.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered a deceased adult male in a silver Nissan Sentra, wearing soft body armor.

He was later identified as Dawson Maloney, 23, of Albany, N.Y., and it was determined he died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Authorities found two additional shotguns, an AR-style pistol, loaded magazines and ammunition, as well as two-thermite-based incendiary devices in the vehicle, among other items, according to the LVMPD's news release.

Investigators later learned that Maloney had recently been reported missing out of New York, and he allegedly told family members that he had intent to carry out an act that would get him “on the news.”

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License plate reader data confirmed that Maloney had driven from New York to Nevada in a rental car, per authorities.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department/Facebook

“Out of an abundance of caution, the incident was treated as terrorism-related due to the location and materials discovered,” the LVMPD said, adding, "There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.”

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In a Friday, Feb. 20, press conference, LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill said that Maloney referred to himself as his mother’s “dead terrorist son” in a message to her before his death.

Investigators said they additionally found books relating to “extremist ideologies” in the Nevada hotel room where Maloney was staying, including some pertaining to “white supremacy and anti-government ideology.”

The FBI is currently assisting in the investigation. A spokesperson for the organization told PEOPLE, "We don't have any updates to share at this time."

The LVMPD and the BCPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Feb. 21.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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