Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.
Texas is grappling with a wave of package bombings - here's what's happened so far
Texas is grappling with a wave of package bombings - here's what's happened so far
David ChoiMar 21, 2018, 08:01 IST
Advertisement
Police maintain a cordon near the site of an incident reported as an explosion in southwest Austin, Texas, U.S. March 18, 2018.Tamir Kalifa/Reuteres
Local law-enforcement officials in Austin, Texas, are working with their state and federal counterparts to track down a serial bomber who is believed to be targeting neighborhoods around the state capital.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspicious package found at a FedEx facility in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday was an unexploded bomb - the sixth such incident that has rattled the region since March 2.
So far, the bombs have killed two people and injured four others. Police said they believe the incidents are all related "because of the specific contents of these devices."
In light of the explosions, which have so far followed a similar pattern in areas surrounding Austin, law-enforcement officials said people should not handle any unexpected or suspicious packages, and instead call 911.
Advertisement
Here's a timeline of all the suspicious packages and bombs that have been discovered near Austin so far:
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.
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.
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.
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
