For 19 days, the city of Austin has been on high alert as a series of bombs were sporadically detonated inside packages across town, starting with the first explosion on March 2 and ending in a dramatic car chase this morning, as the suspect detonated a bomb in his car, killing himself in the process.
The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Mark Anthony Conditt, a resident of Pflugerville. The motives for the bombings are still unknown, and authorities are still working to make sure there isn't anyone else involved. They are also still urging residents to remain vigilant about suspicious packages, as they don't know whether Conditt left any additional packages behind.
It has been a harrowing 48 hours for Austin, as a fifth bomb exploded on the morning of March 19 at a Schertz FedEx facility, and an undetonated bomb was recovered at a Southeast Austin FedEx store. Then, early this morning, Austinites woke up to the news that a police chase involving the suspect had ended on I-35 with the suspect detonating a bomb in his car, followed by a police officer shooting at the suspect. Officials still aren't sure if Conditt died as a result of a gunshot wound or injuries sustained during the explosion.
So how did they catch him? Officials got a break after tracking the latest bomb's origins to a FedEx facility in Sunset Valley, where video surveillance was obtained. They also retrieved receipts from the suspect showing suspicious transactions, as well as a warrant for a Google search history that shows he made questionable Internet searches.
While everyone is thrilled that the bombings have come to an end, we need to remember the victims who were killed during this tragedy: Anthony Stephan House, 39, and Draylen Mason, 17. Funds to benefit both of their families have been set up; you can donate to the Anthony Stephan House Fund here and the Draylen Mason Memorial Fund here. And remember: continue to keep an eye out for your friends, neighbors and yourself.