Update: Following the fifth bombing in less than three weeks, Austin police - as well as federal agents with the FBI and ATF - are no closer to solving the mystery of who is sending these bombs, and why?
After initially entertaining the theory that the bombings could be racially motivated, a more racially diverse victim base in recent attacks has discounted this theory. In each bombing, the weapons have been loaded with nails and shrapnel. Domestic terrorism has also been discussed as a motive, according to the Associated Press.
As an aside, the AP also clarified that it was unable to confirm reports that one FedEx employee had been injured in Tuesday morning's blast.
While the first three bombings all occurred east of Interstate 35, a section of town that tends to be more heavily minority and less affluent, Sunday's was west of the highway. The differences in where the blasts have occurred, the lack of a motive and other unknowns make it harder to draw conclusions about a possible pattern, further unnerving a city on edge.
Fred Milanowski, an ATF agent who's working the case, said investigators have followed up on more than 500 leads. Police have asked anybody with surveillance cameras at nearby homes to come forward with their footage, hoping that one of the cameras might've captured something suspicious.
With students preparing to return to Austin following Spring Break, police are telling residents to be extra cautious.
Meanwhile, the PGA's Dell Technologies Match Play tournament is scheduled to begin in Austin on Wednesday, bringing dozens of the world's best golfers to the state capitol.
"I'm pretty sure the tour has enough security to keep things safe in here. But this is scary what's happening," said golfer Jhonattan Vegas, already in town.
But after five bombings in the span of five weeks, investigators have no solid leads.
That should be incredibly concerning to all residents of the Austin area.
As CBS points out, investigators are worried that whoever is behind these bombings has gone from "targeting a specific individual" to "I just want to kill someone."
"That’s concerning," said Clint McNear, a former Garland detective who now operates McNear Consulting.
The shift from a bomb triggered by motion to a tripwire shows sophistication, according to McNear.
"They’ve done it repeatedly without harming themselves, they’re displaying that they have some knowledge," said McNear.
Having built and transported at least four bombs, McNear believes it is likely not someone who is learning as they go.
"My mind was racing this morning. Is it a former oil-field worker that’s extremely familiar with explosive devices?" questioned McNear. "Is it a former military EOD? Former fire/police officer that’s got training in bombs?"
But while the investigation is ongoing, McNear warned the public not to panic.
"I would beg the public to not panic, to be prepared, not paranoid and if you see something, you have to report it," said McNear.
Right now, investigators' best hope is that the bomber accidentally detonates their next device during assembly, killing them.
"I hope he inadvertently becomes a suicide bomber in his garage trying to build his next device because he certainly is a dangerous person," said McNear.
But considering their ostensible level of sophistication, this outcome seems unlikely.
For now, police have little choice but to wait and see what comes...
* * *
In a disturbing development, a package believed to be headed for Austin, Texas exploded at a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas - a suburb of San Antonio that's roughly a 60 mile drive from the state capitol, the Washington Post reported.
The FBI told CBS that it's "more than possible" the blast is linked to the recent ones in Austin before law enforcement sources confirmed it.
.@CBSNews reports the FBI says it's "'more than possible"' that the package that exploded at a FedEx facility in Schertz, which was bound for Austin, is connected to the #AustinBombings
— Ashley Sutton (@AshSuttonSA) March 20, 2018
The explosion occurred at around 12:30 am Tuesday morning (local time). The bomb, which contained nails and shrapnel, wounded at least one woman, FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee told reporters.
Work at the facility, which was staffed by 75 people, has ground to a halt as the FBI and ATF arrived on the scene. A local CBS affiliate received a call from one woman whose husband works at the facility. She told the station that he was not being allowed to leave.
Of the 75 people working at the facility, only one complained of injury described as a non life threatening percussion type injury.
— sanantonioFIRE (@saFIREorg) March 20, 2018
All inbound and outbound packages are in limbo, and transport vehicles are in gridlock. At this hour, ATF and FBI assets are beginning to arrive.
Since March 2, five explosions (including Tuesday morning's blast) have rocked the Austin area. Police have warned the public that the incidents appear to be linked, and that they are "currently dealing with a serial bomber".
In addition to the two men who were wounded after Sunday night's explosion, two black men have been killed and an elderly Hispanic woman has been wounded. Police say they haven't ruled out the possibility that the attacks - which began on March 2 - were racially motivated. The first three bombs were left on doorsteps. But Sunday's explosion in Austin was likely triggered by a tripwire, which suggests that the suspects have a higher level of sophistication than police had initially believed. So far, there's not enough evidence for police to classify the incidents as terrorism or hate crimes.
"We don't know what the motive behind these may be. We do know that both of the homes that were the recipients of these packages belonged to African Americans, so we cannot rule out that hate crime is at the core of this," said Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
Authorities don't appear to have any leads in a case that's looking suspiciously like the infamous "unabomber" case from the 1990s.
Comments
Ted?
Ban mail.
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
ban cardboard boxes...
In reply to Ban mail. by Zero Point
Which one of you autists is doing this? I knew HH was about to blow his top, but this is getting out of hand ...
In reply to ban cardboard boxes... by SmallerGovNow2
looks like the tx law rangers have pissed off a bad guy.
In reply to Which one of you autists is… by Haus-Targaryen
Why Austin? Because that is the Heart of the Resistance buried in the former republic of Texas.
The leader of the resistance is Alex Jones and they want to make an example of him.
"They" are the deep state, or as we are now finding out, the SES holdovers from the Obamanation. The group being run by his Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in DC with Valerie Jarret.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajMRNSsvUPc&t=1658s
In reply to looks like the tx law… by 1 Alabama
or..... you actually had a nut job in Austin, but the Mossad and CIA jumped on the bandwagon to have us continuing to shake in our boots.
In reply to Why Austin? Because that is… by wildbad
Any passports found at either of the scenes?
In reply to or..... you actually had a… by Ima anal sphincter
Grand Mufti Mueller: "Russian trolls are bombing Texas."
Rachel Maddow: "Russian hackers are bombing Texas."
Theresa May: "Putin personally sent those packages to Texas and we assess with high confidence that he is the real Unabomber.
In reply to Any passports found at… by Nekoti
Just waiting for the MIC/GOV/Deep to tell us what we are not allowed to do anymore. Thanks Austin, but whatever the "safety" that is offered, will be applied Nation-wide.
In reply to Grand Mufti Mueller: … by Shemp 4 Victory
"the blast are linked"? the FBI is again at the top of their game.
In reply to Just waiting for the MIC/GOV… by Shitonya Serfs
Only yesterday police were warning citizens to use official carriers like Fedex.
In reply to Grand Mufti Mueller: … by Shemp 4 Victory
Barbrady, Texas Ranger: "Sorry, I meant do not use official carriers. My bad."
In reply to Only yesterday police were… by Yog Soggoth
what is the NSA hiding?
In reply to Any passports found at… by Nekoti
itself ~ and all the employees named Goldenblumsteinweinfarb in the department.
In reply to what is the NSA hiding? by SubjectivObject
All in line with the false flags of shootings and now this. Obviously they are trying to make it look like a "muh raycissm"
Man have these turds lost their edge. But I do worry they are just using this all as opening act.
NOTE TO DEEP STATE: No matter what you do I won't believe it was anybody but you. Nuclear war? As far as I am concerned it is James Clapper and company until it is absolutely proven otherwise. Just be aware Mr Clapper I'll have to see the dossier on god himself to be convinced otherwise.
In reply to or..... you actually had a… by Ima anal sphincter
this quote says it all:
"We don't know what the motive behind these may be. We do know that both of the homes that were the recipients of these packages belonged to African Americans, so we cannot rule out that hate crime is at the core of this," said Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
In reply to All in line with the false… by DownWithYogaPants
Why don't they just bomb Jones' studio and operations? Too much security? Or as we know already, are they just cowards and ordinary terrorists.
In reply to Why Austin? Because that is… by wildbad
Never fear!
According to sources in a position to know who wish to remain anonymous, Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County Fla has jumped into his Lamborghini and is hauling ass up I-95 to take over the crime scene even as we speak.
Word has it, he's going to advise setting up a perimeter around Austin ;-)
In reply to Which one of you autists is… by Haus-Targaryen
I always knew there was something wrong w/that guy
In reply to Never fear!… by nmewn
so autistic to be capable of producing such rubbish.
In reply to Which one of you autists is… by Haus-Targaryen
Wait until the nuclear weapon goes off in a nuclear weapon-free zone...
http://nwp.ilpi.org/?p=1182
Standard Disclaimer: Plenty of shitholes to blow up.
On a more serious note, not one media outlet targeted? I am thoroughly disappointed.
In reply to Which one of you autists is… by Haus-Targaryen
Easy to find the guy. Look at all the bombers that the FBI got tips about but did nothing, and cross reference it with 911 calls police got about a mad bomber but didn't arrest, and make sure there are school records that show he was howling in the halls about sending bombs to everyone, but wasn't evaluated.
In reply to ban cardboard boxes... by SmallerGovNow2
I wonder if dropping Fuck Bombs left and right is considered terrirrism… ;-)
Looney
In reply to Ban mail. by Zero Point
Special Delivery...postman always rings twice...
In reply to … by Looney
I wonder why they have ruled out terrorism, but not racially motivated hate crime?
In reply to Special Delivery...postman… by Déjà view
Because Terrorism does not exist in USSR, Comrade! Get with the Program!
In reply to I wonder why they have ruled… by Endgame Napoleon
Not Yet but just wait.
In reply to … by Looney
You beat me to it.. Yeah, Mail kills people, not people.
In reply to Ban mail. by Zero Point
Assault Mail! We must have Mail-Free Zones!
In reply to Ban mail. by Zero Point
Atavistic Ted
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
"a package believed to be headed for Austin, Texas"
All they have to do is scan the package tracking number and they'd know for sure...
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
> All they have to do is scan the package tracking number.
You mean the one attached to the package now that it has blown up?
Did IQ's suddenly drop in the room?
In reply to "a package believed to be… by DuckDog
At least this time it wasn't the US Post Office's turn.
In reply to > All they have to do is… by cheech_wizard
They charge honest bombers too much.
In reply to At least this time it wasn't… by silverer
If the package was inside a FedEx facility, it's already been scanned. Not hard to determine which package didn't make it on to the designated truck.
In reply to > All they have to do is… by cheech_wizard
and this gem: "more than possible"
WTF is that?
In reply to "a package believed to be… by DuckDog
Did it have Comey's address on the box? Mueller? McCabe? Then I don't give a shit.
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
Yes. On the senders address.
In reply to Did it have Comey's address… by ZENDOG
See, when it is not a false flag, authorities haven't got a clue who is behind it. When it is their op, they have their man whithin minutes.
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
+1000.
In reply to See, when it is not a false… by Laughing Sawfish
Perhaps we can start with the FBI announcing which bombers they're already aware of in the Austin, TX area.
In reply to See, when it is not a false… by Laughing Sawfish
Bombs-R-Us in business.
Austin is a shithole and deserves everything they got coming, fucking libturds.
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
"So far, there's not enough evidence for police to classify the incidents as terrorism or hate crimes". Fucking racists cops and I want people to say no. They know that this is targeted to minorities they know more than likely this may be a white person. So in this country the police and media doesn't like to say anything a white man does is terrorism especially if it targets someone that isn't white.
Hell even when it targets other whites they won't call him a terrorists. And I'll tell you the reason. The new terrorism laws would come into effect once they are classified as a terrorists. and if so then the FBI and federal govt. can use their version of the RICO act and then some for terrorism to go after anyone that may have helped him or gave him inspiration to do what he did or material support.
And the last thing they want is to see that police, govt. official local and national may have helped.
In reply to Ted? by ZippyBananaPants
If it is aimed at killing people randomly or a group of people, it should be called terrorism, but not radical Islamic terrorism. Really, the motive should not even matter. That is just the murderer’s excuse. It does not reduce the severity of the crime. It should all be called mass murder.
In reply to "So far, there's not enough… by Buck Johnson
They should ban packages.
Chuck Schumer is moving urgently to a live camera feed to announce he is proposing mandatory federal registration of FedEx trucks and a total ban on those with fully automatic transmissions.
In reply to They should ban packages. by Seb
the maker of these bombs better stop or she will be caught quickly, I suspect it is stormy daniels.
Dear bomber, please call us. We want to talk to you. We just want to know why you're doing this.
Sheriffs Dept.
Anyone know if the bomber called yet?
In reply to the maker of these bombs… by Davidduke2000
Yes, please use a cellphone so we can identify you.
I am sure the area is now saturated with Stingrays. Every payphone that still might exist in the area is staked out. And if that doesn't work, voice recognition will ID him in less than 1 hour.
In reply to Dear bomber, please call us… by Bastille Day
Pagination