Texas is grappling with a wave of package bombings - here's what's happened so far
March 2, 6:55 a.m: A package left on the front porch of a home overnight explodes, killing 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House.
March 12, 6:44 a.m: Another package explodes inside a home about 12 miles away from the first bomb.
Seventeen-year-old Draylen Mason was killed, and his 40-year-old mother was injured in the blast.
Mason, a gifted musician, reportedly brought the package to the kitchen to open it when it exploded. He was transported to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Source: WSOC-TV
March 12, 11:50 a.m: Hours later, another package bomb explodes, injuring 75-year-old Esperanza Morena Herrera.
March 12: Following the third explosion, Gov. Greg Abbot offers a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the bombings. The Austin Police Department adds an additional $50,000 reward.
Six days later, the Austin Police Department raised their reward to a combined total of $115,000.
Source: The Statesman, WSOC-TV
March 15: Police considered the possibility that the bombings may be motivated by hate because all of the victims at the time were people of color.
"We cannot rule out hate, but we're not saying it's hate," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said.
Source: CNN
March 18, 8:30 p.m: Two white males in their 20s are injured after triggering a trip-wire explosive device placed on a street. The two men were hospitalized.
Austin Police Chief, Brian Manley, said in a media briefing that because the device was rigged with a trip wire, they believe the bombing suspect has "a higher level of sophistication" and skill than they initially expected.
March 20, 12:30 a.m: A fourth package bomb explodes on a conveyor belt at a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas, about 50 miles away from Austin. One person was injured.
March 20, around 6:00 a.m: Law-enforcement officials discover an unexploded device at another FedEx center in Austin.
The Austin Police Department definitively says on Twitter that the two packages on Tuesday were "connected to the four previous package explosions."
March 20, 5:20 p.m: Police respond to an incendiary device in south Austin. A man in his 30s suffered injuries. The Austin Police Department and the ATF said the incident was unrelated to the ongoing package-bombing investigation.
Source: Austin Police Department and the ATF
Hundreds of special agents from the FBI and ATF are in Austin to help with the investigation.
Source: WGNTV-9
APD is asking the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious. If you come across ANYTHING that looks suspicious, DO NOT touch, handle or disturb it. Keep a safe distance and call 9-1-1 immediately. pic.twitter.com/BfFQZ95Kfe
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 20, 2018Popular Right Now
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