There Have Been Four Bombings in Austin, Texas Over the Last Month
What is happening in Austin?
Two men were injured in an explosion that occurred on Sunday night in Austin, Texas, right as the city’s annual SXSW festival wrapped up. It’s the third explosion to happen in Texas’ capital.
And now authorities are wondering if there is a serial bomber on the loose.
READ: Authorities Arrested Man Who Made Bomb Threat at the Roots’ SXSW Jam
The big difference between this one and the previous three bombings was location; the previous three bombings were sent to people’s personal homes. The two people who were injured were just walking down an Austin street.
Interim Austin police chief Brian Manley spoke about the change in tactic of the bomber (or bombers):
“What we have seen now is a significant change from what appeared to be three very targeted attacks to what was, last night, an attack that would have hit a random victim that happened to walk by…So we’ve definitely seen a change in the method that this suspect … is using.”
Manly also said this bomb was set off by a tripwire. Because of this, authorities believe whoever was responsible had “a higher level of sophistication, a higher level of skill.”
READ: Charlottesville Beating Victim DeAndre Harris Acquitted Of Assault And Battery
Reports say that the city is now on edge. This began on March 2nd, when a 39-year-old construction worker named Anthony Stephen House was killed when a bomb was delivered to his house:
@deray My friend was the 1st victim of #AustinBombings. Media is sharing a DL pic that (bc of his skin color) ppl assume is a mugshot. Anthony Stephan House was a good man. Will you help amplify these pics that show WHO HE WAS? Shared by & credited to his bro Norrell Waynewood pic.twitter.com/wuFSApTYCL
— ❄Space Force Captain Tiffany❄ (@tiffanyclay) March 13, 2018
The next explosion came when on March 12th, when a bomb was delivered to the home of 17-year-old high school student Draylen Mason. He was killed, and his mother was seriously injured:
Draylen Mason, 17, brilliant musician, was “like the light in a Rembrandt painting” his former music director said. Mason died 10 days after Anthony Stephan House was killed in another Austin bombing. Hunt the killer or killers down. Find them. Somebody knows. #AustinBombings pic.twitter.com/4BPJvviOAS
— John Kass (@John_Kass) March 13, 2018
The third explosion seriously injured a 75-year-old woman named Esperanza Herrera. Interestingly, the bomb was addressed to a different home than hers.
This is our family friend Esperanza Hope Herrera who was the victim of the 2nd package bomb that day. 75 years old,taking care of her 90 year old mother. Fighting for her life. Shattered face, broken shoulders, possibly leg amputation and both hands. Our condolences. pic.twitter.com/EiRq3rLLir
— HolyGoods&Co. (@HolyGoodsCo) March 14, 2018
Source: Washington Post
