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Suspect in Austin Bombings Blew Himself Up, Police Say Austin Bombing Suspect Blew Himself Up, Police Say
(about 1 hour later)
A suspect in the series of bombings that have terrorized the city of Austin, Tex., died early Wednesday, blowing himself up in his vehicle as officers closed in on him, the authorities said. ROUND ROCK, Tex. — A suspect in the series of bombings that have terrorized the city of Austin, Tex., died early Wednesday, blowing himself up in his vehicle as officers closed in on him, the authorities said.
The Austin police chief, Brian Manley, described the suspect as a 24-year-old white man, without releasing any more information. Officials did not rule out the possibility that the man had accomplices.The Austin police chief, Brian Manley, described the suspect as a 24-year-old white man, without releasing any more information. Officials did not rule out the possibility that the man had accomplices.
“We do not understand what motivated him to do what he did,” Chief Manley said.“We do not understand what motivated him to do what he did,” Chief Manley said.
Law enforcement officials cautioned that the bomber could have planted other explosives that have not yet detonated. “We still need to remain vigilant,” Chief Manley said. “We do not know where he has been in the past 24 hours.”Law enforcement officials cautioned that the bomber could have planted other explosives that have not yet detonated. “We still need to remain vigilant,” Chief Manley said. “We do not know where he has been in the past 24 hours.”
He added, “This investigation is still underway, so we cannot say that this was an individual acting on their own.”He added, “This investigation is still underway, so we cannot say that this was an individual acting on their own.”
In a Twitter post, President Trump praised law enforcement officials for their work in identifying and locating the suspect.In a Twitter post, President Trump praised law enforcement officials for their work in identifying and locating the suspect.
Officials expressed confidence that they knew the identity of the dead man, but Chief Manley said his name would not be released until the body had been positively identified by a medical examiner and the man’s family had been notified.Officials expressed confidence that they knew the identity of the dead man, but Chief Manley said his name would not be released until the body had been positively identified by a medical examiner and the man’s family had been notified.
The suspect is believed to be responsible for at least six bombs that killed at least two people and wounded five. Four bombs detonated in various locations in Austin where they had been left. One detonated at a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Tex., near San Antonio, and another was found, unexploded, in the same facility. The suspect is believed to be responsible for at least six bombs that killed at least two people and wounded five. Four bombs detonated in various locations in Austin where they had been left. One detonated at a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Tex., near San Antonio, and another was found, unexploded, in a FedEx facility near Austin’s airport.
“There were several leads that led us to this person,” including surveillance video, Chief Manley said.“There were several leads that led us to this person,” including surveillance video, Chief Manley said.
The attacks started the morning of March 2, when a package bomb detonated on the porch of an Austin home, killing Anthony Stephan House, 39. That was followed 10 days later by two bombs outside homes, one of which killed a 17-year-old boy.The attacks started the morning of March 2, when a package bomb detonated on the porch of an Austin home, killing Anthony Stephan House, 39. That was followed 10 days later by two bombs outside homes, one of which killed a 17-year-old boy.
The first three bombs were apparently detonated by being picked up or jostled. Later, a package bomb exploded outside another Austin home, set off by a tripwire. The bombs at the FedEx center were found on Tuesday; officials have refused to say to whom they were addressed or whether they were bound for Austin.The first three bombs were apparently detonated by being picked up or jostled. Later, a package bomb exploded outside another Austin home, set off by a tripwire. The bombs at the FedEx center were found on Tuesday; officials have refused to say to whom they were addressed or whether they were bound for Austin.
“Within the past 24 to 36 hours, we started getting information on one person of interest,” Chief Manley said. “This person of interest ultimately moved to being a suspect.”“Within the past 24 to 36 hours, we started getting information on one person of interest,” Chief Manley said. “This person of interest ultimately moved to being a suspect.”
The suspect’s vehicle was traced to a hotel in Round Rock, just north of Austin, he said, where a SWAT team surreptitiously surrounded the hotel and called other specialized units. But before those teams could arrive, the suspect drove away.The suspect’s vehicle was traced to a hotel in Round Rock, just north of Austin, he said, where a SWAT team surreptitiously surrounded the hotel and called other specialized units. But before those teams could arrive, the suspect drove away.
Officers followed the suspect, who stopped in a ditch off Interstate 35, and SWAT officers approached the vehicle on foot, the chief said.Officers followed the suspect, who stopped in a ditch off Interstate 35, and SWAT officers approached the vehicle on foot, the chief said.
“The suspect detonated a bomb inside of the vehicle, knocking one officer back” and slightly injuring him, he said. Another officer fired his gun at the vehicle.“The suspect detonated a bomb inside of the vehicle, knocking one officer back” and slightly injuring him, he said. Another officer fired his gun at the vehicle.
Michael Luna, a guest at a Red Roof Inn near the confrontation, told a local news channel that he heard the explosion from the bomb, which sounded as if it had gone off 100 to 200 yards from him, when he was outside smoking a cigarette in the parking lot. Mr. Luna, who said he had been in the military, said that the explosion sounded like two grenades going off at the same time, and that he heard a pop afterward that may have been gunfire.
Mayor Steve Adler of Austin said that the city’s residents should continue to watch out for suspicious packages that the bomber may have planted before his death.
Mr. Adler expressed hope that residents who had been brought closer together during the attacks would retain that neighborly feeling as the threat receded.
“The hope is one of the things that will happen after this is that people will start walking across the street, or across the hall, or down the hall, and down the street and start really knowing the people they’re living with,” he said.