UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: Federal agents investigating recent bombings in Austin said they have removed explosive materials from the home of the alleged bomber.
Special Agent Fred Malanowski with the ATF said one room of the Pflugerville home Mark Conditt was living in had a number materials used to construct bombs.
The agents have removed all of the bomb-making materials from the home.
Original Story:
AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – As local and federal investigators continue to investigate the motive behind a string of bombings in Central Texas following the death of the suspect, authorities have released new details about the case.
Investigators said 24-year-old Mark Anthony Conditt detonated an explosive device in his car as officers moved in on him outside a hotel in Round Rock early Wednesday morning, about 19 miles North of Austin.
Since March 2nd, two people were killed and five injured by package bombs in Austin and Schertz.
Governor Greg Abbott said investigators used cellphone data to place Conditt at the site of the explosions.
He said Conditt’s phone number caught the attention of authorities following the Schertz FedEx bombing earlier this week.
[KVUE photo]
The Austin Police Department announced that detectives had filed a warrant for Conditt Tuesday evening in connection with the bombings.
The federal criminal complaint charged Conditt with one count of Unlawful Possession and Transfer of a Destructive Device.
Although Conditt is dead, police say the threat of more package bombs has not been eliminated and they’re urging resident to stay on high alert.
“We don’t now where the suspect spent his last 24 hours and therefore we still need to remain vigilant to be sure that no other packages have been left through the community,” said Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.
Tom Crowley is a former Dallas Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special agent and said finding that out will be investigators top priority for now.
“They’ll go to all UPS, FedEx and see if anything is this guy’s name or anything he used is there any record of him sending other packages. You’re going to look for paperwork, receipts or anyone else who may have had knowledge of what he was doing, ” he said.
Early Wednesday afternoon, a swarm of local and federal authorities had surrounded Conditt’s home.
Investigators have detained two roommates of the Austin bombing suspect. One roommate was detained, questioned and released. The other is currently being questioned. Their names will not be released because they are not under arrest at this time. APD PIO
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 21, 2018
Authorities said right now, there are no other suspects but they are not ruling out the possibility of an accomplice.
Mark Conditt’s family said that they were unaware of his possible involvements in the bombings. He was the oldest of four children and neighbors described him as a quiet person.
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