Texas law enforcement is dealing with more terror. Police are reportedly on the scene in Austin following another possible bomb explosion.
According to reports, an explosive-rigged device went off Tuesday (March 20) in a local strip mall.
The police responded to a reported explosion and injury at a strip mall south of downtown Austin on Tuesday evening, apparently the seventh bomb and sixth explosion in less than four weeks as a serial bomber continues to terrorize Texas’ capital. (New York Times)
Other reports claim the explosion happened at a Goodwill store and injured at least one person.
#Breaking #AustinPolice is responding to a reported explosion in 9600 block of Brodie Ln in south Austin. Please avoid the area. APD PIO en route.
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) March 21, 2018
Employees of a restaurant near where an explosive is believed to have detonated near a Goodwill in SW #Austin are standing around in shock, police interviewing them inside blocked off area. #AustinBombings pic.twitter.com/PHoNLqD3Fz
— Andy Sevilla (@MrAndySevilla) March 21, 2018
You can smell smoke in the air, people visibly shaken as police ask everyone to evacuate this business park anchored by Randall’s on Brodie and Slaughter. #AustinBombings
— Andy Sevilla (@MrAndySevilla) March 21, 2018
The Austin police have since come forward to end speculation about the explosion having a connection to the recent string of serial bomber attacks.
#UPDATE: There was no package explosion in the 9800 block of Brodie Ln. Items inside package was not a bomb, rather an incendiary device. At this time, we have no reason to believe this incident is related to previous package bombs. #Breaking #packagebombmurders
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) March 21, 2018
A few hours ago, Chicago’s Chance The Rapper spoke out on the Texas bombings following a FedEx explosion earlier in the day outside of San Antonio.
Someone is serial murdering Black and Latino men and women in Texas right now. One of them was just a boy. Hold your leaders accountable. Even if you aren’t from Texas, your elected officials should be talking about this. #AustinBombings
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) March 20, 2018
The publicized attack is believed to possibly have a connection to last week’s Austin bombs.
A bomb blast that rocked a Texas FedEx facility near San Antonio on Tuesday widened the destructive path of a serial bomber but provided “extensive evidence” that may have narrowed the intense manhunt for the killer. The package bomb that exploded near San Antonio was mailed from Austin, where four bombings this month have killed two people, wounded four more and stumped hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officers. One worker suffered minor injuries in Tuesday’s blast, authorities said. (USA Today)
There is reportedly a major reward for anyone able to help law enforcement locate and arrest the person behind the widespread bombs.
Speaking through the media, officials have appealed to the bomber to reveal the motives for the attacks. They have also asked the public for any tips, offering a $115,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit. (Reuters)