Austin police have linked Monday morning’s mail bombing, that killed a teen boy and injured a woman, with another deadly explosion earlier this month. A third explosion left a 75-year-old woman with “life-threatening injuries.”
Police Chief Brian Manley has warned Austin residents no to open their mail, following dual mail bombings in the Texas city on Monday. The investigation is being coordinated with units from both the FBI and ATF.
“Similar to the other two incidents,the victim came outside and found a package, picked it up and the box detonated,” Chief Brian Manley told a press conference. In reference to speculation that the bombings were a spate of hate crimes, Manley added that investigators haven’t identified a “specific victimology or ideology based on current evidence… We are willing to investigate any avenue.”
Based on evidence from all three scenes, the police believe the incidents are related but have yet to establish a motive or to identify the type of explosive used. “We are not calling it a serial bomber case,” the police chief confirmed. Two of the victims were African-American and the latest victim was Hispanic, so the department are not ruling out that these were hate crimes.
“All three incidents, up to this point, have occurred at residences. It is important that people be vigilant,” Manley added. He also confirmed that additional K9 explosives units have been brought in to the city to assist with the investigation.
My heart goes out to the family of the individual who died & was injured from the explosion on Old Fort Hill Dr. This type of crime will not be tolerated in #ATX. If you receive a package that you are not expecting or looks suspicious, DO NOT open it, call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/sJSYQZMziv
— Chief Brian Manley (@chief_manley) March 12, 2018
🚨If you receive a package that you are not expecting or looks suspicious, DO NOT open it, call 911 immediately. RT- Help us spread this message. 🚨 https://t.co/j9bxbaaBce
— Chief Brian Manley (@chief_manley) March 12, 2018
The first explosion took place just before noon, after a suspicious package was left on the doorstep of a single-family home. A 17-year-old boy was killed and a woman in her 40s was seriously injured.
Multiple #ATCEMS@Austin_Police@AustinFireInfo onscene of a reported explosion at 4800 block of Oldfort Hill Dr (06:44); 2 pts identified thus far with Medics obtaining DOS pronouncement of late teens Male & ~40’s F txpt’d to DSMC w/serious potentially life threat inj’s. MTF…
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) March 12, 2018
Several hours later, a second reported explosion left a woman in her 70s with potentially life-threatening injuries. She was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center for emergency treatment.
UPDATE2 reported explosion 6700blk Galindo St (1149): CORRECTION 1st patient is ~70s female and was transported to Dell Seton Medical Seton with serious potentially life threatening injuries, 2nd patient is ~80s female with unrelated medical issue. More to follow.
— ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) March 12, 2018
A man was killed in another home explosion on March 2. Police are investigating the March case and the incident from Monday morning as homicides, but have yet to confirm whether the two are linked.
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