The suspected serial bomber behind several exploding packages in Austin in Texas blew himself up in his vehicle on Wednesday as the police closed in on him. The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Mark Anthony Conditt, The Washington Post reported.
Despite Conditt’s death, the police have asked residents of Austin to remain vigilant as he may have planted explosives. “We are concerned that there may be other packages that are still out there,” said Christopher Combs, the special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Antonio office.
Interim Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said the FBI had tracked the suspect down to a hotel’s parking lot in Round Rock, about 29 km north of Austin on Wednesday morning. Conditt, who was inside his vehicle, began to drive away but then detonated a bomb as a Special Weapons And Tactics team closed in on him.
The police chief said it was unclear whether it was the explosion or the team’s gunfire that killed Conditt. One of the officers was injured in the blast.
Manley said the police believe he was responsible for all five explosions – four in Austin and one at a FedEx facility in Schertz – between March 2 and March 20. The package that exploded at the FedEx centre was meant to be delivered to Austin. The officer said Conditt’s motive is still unclear.
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