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Austin bombing suspect dies after detonating explosive in vehicle
A suspect in a series of bombing attacks in Austin, Texas has died, according to police.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, the Austin Police Department said the suspect detonated an explosive device in his vehicle as authorities closed in.
Police say officers tracked the suspect’s car to a hotel in Round Rock, TX, north of Austin. As police waited on tactical units, the vehicle left the hotel. Officers pursued the vehicle and the driver eventually pulled over.
“As members of the Austin Police Department SWAT Team approached the vehicle the suspect detonated a bomb inside the vehicle,” said a spokesperson with the Austin Police Department.
Police say an officer fired his weapon at the suspect after a member of the SWAT team was knocked down by the blast.
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 21, 2018
Investigators have been searching for a suspected serial bomber since March 2 after an explosion killed a 39-year-old man. A 17-year-old boy was also killed in a blast on March 12. Two women were injured in a separate explosion on the same day.
On Sunday, a 22-year-old man and 23-year-old man were injured in an explosion triggered by a tripwire. The most recent incident happened Tuesday at a FedEx distribution centre. A worker was treated and released after reporting ringing in her ears.
Police have not yet released the identity of the suspect.
The suspected serial bomber detonated a bomb in his car and killed himself. Police can't name him yet because he has not been positively identified by medical examiner. @morninglive
— Kelly Botelho (@botelhok) March 21, 2018
