TX - Austin Package Bombs

[leyash]

thought of your post when I saw this one from CNN. How does the 4th fit when looking at I35? Moving down along the Interstate?

35 is about 10 minutes from the recent bombing. He would be better off hitting 290, or Loop 1.

A short drive down Southwest Parkway will take him to William Cannon, which can take him to 35, or Loop 1 which is a major highway, or 290 which can have him anywhere in surrounding cities in a matter of a few minutes (Oak Hill, Bastrop, etc.)

 

[arkansasmimi]

Across Republic of Texas Blvd from Dawn Song Dr, there is a trail that goes all the way through the Gaines Creek Neighborhood Park to Southwest Pkwy. Across the street from from the end of that trail, there are several businesses with parking lots out front. If he's fit enough and the bomb wasn't likely to accidentally go off, I think parking at that parking lot and hiking through that park would be a reasonable method of getting there and away without drawing too much attention - if he just looked like your average hiker or nature-lover - maybe with a backpack.

Last night reading and not sure if it was confirmed, that allegedly a backpack had been found. But from time lines the first 3 had been placed at the residences over night, then last night the one was tripped again darkness has played a part.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

This fella isn't like a serial killer who wants to get up close and personal. He may be in a job that he doesn't have to associate with people a lot, or only in a limited capacity. In other words, I don't think that he is a people person. I think that he is doing this just to inflict terror in the community. He does not care who gets hurt. The locale of the bombs are based on his convenience of setting the trap, and getting out, rather than a specific target. I'm going to guess that he's in his late 20s to late 30s. He's enjoying watching his show unfold. (This is subject to change...hourly, daily, etc...)

Can any Austin folks think of anything major that's happened, that could ignite someone, who may already be on edge. Looking in from the outside, I might could see a couple things, but, I don't know that they would make someone turn to terrorism, in Austin. I don't know the climate in ya'll's region, in other words, prior to the bombings. Any tensions?

No tensions in particular come to my mind. There are ongoing issues surrounding property taxes, gentrification, the old vs. the new etc. Austin is a somewhat liberal city surrounded by very conservative areas. Conservatives, even at the highest level of state govt, lash out quite frequently at Austin. The sanctuary city issue, that watergirl mentioned, is a thorn in a lot of peoples' sides. So has been things like gay marriage and the "bathroom bill" regarding transgender children. So I guess it could be someone who just hates the way of life in a young, liberal, and thriving city. Maybe SXSW timing is not a coincidence. If it is something like that, I would guess him to be older, 50ish who has a grudge against change.

But the thing that makes me shy away from this angle are the locations. If it really was an angst about the city culture, why bomb in the suburbs? And in general, the Travis Country neighborhood tends to be socially, politically, and economically very different than the last 2 neighborhoods. There doesn't seem to be any consistency.

 

[arkansasmimi]

The home at 4721 Eagle Feather Dr is on the corner of Dawn Song and Eagle Feather. That home has a wood fence on the Dawn Song side of the lot and it sits at the very front of the development. Has to be where the bomb was.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/4...28b46316e79ab9!8m2!3d30.2435559!4d-97.8325247

Thanks!
ok this makes this bomb on the opposite side of I35 than the first 3.

 

[rsd1200]

Just FYI - map of counties around Austin

Let me know if this is what you are wanting. 183 is actually the hwy road number on the east side for 2. I think 130 may have come into play for #1 & 3. MoPac for #4. I need glasses...

 

[Eclipse]

Articles state that the packages were addressed and that the number three package was "left at the wrong address and meant for someone else". I guess the addresses could have been randomly chosen and cross referenced for who lived there. If people were renting it seems most cross referencing would be in the owner's name. The most likely scenario is that the bomber knew the people who lived in the houses. It doesn't seem that the houses were randomly chosen and an unaddressed box was left.

 

[Betty P]

No tensions in particular come to my mind. There are ongoing issues surrounding property taxes, gentrification, the old vs. the new etc. Austin is a somewhat liberal city surrounded by very conservative areas. Conservatives, even at the highest level of state govt, lash out quite frequently at Austin. The sanctuary city issue, that watergirl mentioned, is a thorn in a lot of peoples' sides. So has been things like gay marriage and the "bathroom bill" regarding transgender children. So I guess it could be someone who just hates the way of life in a young, liberal, and thriving city. Maybe SXSW timing is not a coincidence. If it is something like that, I would guess him to be older, 50ish who has a grudge against change.

But the thing that makes me shy away from this angle are the locations. If it really was an angst about the city culture, why bomb in the suburbs? And in general, the Travis Country neighborhood tends to be socially, politically, and economically very different than the last 2 neighborhoods. There doesn't seem to be any consistency.

Perhaps he doesn't live in the city, but outside it. Perhaps he's driving in from an outer suburban/rural area, then heading back out of town when he's done. Probably using interstates & major highways to get around. If he plants a bomb downtown, it's slower driving to get back out, especially after LE is alerted to the bombing and starts closing down streets.

It might also fit that profile of someone who dislikes people in Austin, a rural type who doesn't like the city slickers.

ETA: Also indicates someone who is getting around by car or truck as opposed to someone walking or biking.

 

[Betty P]

BBM

They have to look like they belong there. Nonchalant. As for the size, this last one with a trip wire, here is a paintball tripwire setup that may give some idea of what he possibly used. I'm not saying he used a paintball mine, but, I don't think they have to be very large, and he was likely a lot faster than this guy.

Master Mine Paintball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS65vc4rIjo

rsd1200, this really caught my attention. How many people know how to, or would even think of using a trip wire to set off a bomb? Someone who is current or former military or someone who plays these kinds of games and knows where to buy some of the parts needed. It could also be someone who just searches the internet a lot to study these things, but the paint ball connection seems relevant. Something easy to purchase and experiment with before building the real thing. Also fits the age profile, right?

 

[rsd1200]

Lots of talk about gun rights
Abortion clinics being closed down
SXSW was recently

As far as conflicts, we ALWAYS have conflicts here.

People locally are mad that folks from CA are moving here in droves. There's LOTS of talk about "people should go back to CA" and a lot of angst for people moving here from CA.

Soooo, kinda like a lot of places, w/the exception of Cali folks moving into the area (and SXSW). This is happening outside the main city, for now. In newer subdivisions and older ones. Anyone could have picked up those packages or tripped that wire. A six year old, getting the mail, or riding their bike. He's pretty cold. Maybe trying to make the area less attractive to Cali folks? Spitballing.

 

[missingno]

BBM

They have to look like they belong there. Nonchalant. As for the size, this last one with a trip wire, here is a paintball tripwire setup that may give some idea of what he possibly used. I'm not saying he used a paintball mine, but, I don't think they have to be very large, and he was likely a lot faster than this guy.

Master Mine Paintball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS65vc4rIjo

Thanks for sharing this. I think the trip mine aspect really hints at a specialist of some kind. Someone couldn't have casually set that up.

Given that and the other clues we have, what I've got for a profile looks like:

• Current or former military, or interested in military as a hobby
• Connection to the church family (Victims one and two being related really doesn't strike me as a possible coincidence, I feel it is intentional)
• Erratic and/or aggressive (Anyone could have hit the tripwire and they didn't care)
• Likely knows the area
• Strong planning and premeditation
• Initially cautious but gaining in confidence (The first two bombs were similar and spaced out in time. The last one came more rapidly and was more bold, like perhaps they gained confidence after the first two)
• Perhaps a college student (as others have pointed out, this is during Spring break and the one week delay was during finals week locally, I think I have the least evidence for this given what's available though)

I think (and hope) they will make a mistake soon as they grow more bold. I hope LE are gaining evidence today from cameras and witnesses.

 

[snowleopard]

Lots of talk about gun rights
Abortion clinics being closed down
SXSW was recently

As far as conflicts, we ALWAYS have conflicts here.

People locally are mad that folks from CA are moving here in droves. There's LOTS of talk about "people should go back to CA" and a lot of angst for people moving here from CA.

I appreciate your posts leyash. I'm just thinking out loud a bit....If this is a politically motivated series, the fact that the first two victims being related seems out of place to me. I can believe it's someone with a personal grudge quite easily, maybe someone who has attacked due to some hatred and just happened to know those victims well enough to have a personal grudge also, but it seems a little unlikely. How would yesterday's attack fit in? Is that part of town known to have a racial or ethnic 'identity'? Something isn't adding up to me....

 

[human]

That thought crossed my mind also, particularly because one of the early victims was the president of his HOA. I know HOA stuff can get crazy when you have the wrong kind of people running it.

That is very interesting. HOA’s all over the world have people fighting with each other. Very much similar problems. People not paying their fair share.

I wonder if it is something like that.

 

[rsd1200]

rsd1200, this really caught my attention. How many people know how to, or would even think of using a trip wire to set off a bomb? Someone who is current or former military or someone who plays these kinds of games and knows where to buy some of the parts needed. It could also be someone who just searches the internet a lot to study these things, but the paint ball connection seems relevant. Something easy to purchase and experiment with before building the real thing. Also fits the age profile, right?

BBM

I think so. I do believe that they would have to be old enough to drive, or, have a driver, hop out, blend, wear dark but not menacing, clothing. Put a ball cap on, and there ya go. Then the driver circles back around. I see no way that this guy could park in these subdivisions and do this w/o causing someone to notice a strange vehicle. Especially this last one. They could be using walkie talkies too. The new ones are much better than the old ones. Three miles easy and very compact.

 

[Gardenista]

https://twitter.com/ABCWorldNews/status/975841267044282369

AUSTIN BOMBING: Aerial video shows the scene of a fourth explosion that injured two young men and rocked Austin, Texas, overnight. Authorities confirm the blast was triggered by a sophisticated tripwire. Complete coverage on #WorldNewsTonight.

 

[leyash]

I appreciate your posts leyash. I'm just thinking out loud a bit....If this is a politically motivated series, the fact that the first two victims being related seems out of place to me. I can believe it's someone with a personal grudge quite easily, maybe someone who has attacked due to some hatred and just happened to know those victims well enough to have a personal grudge also, but it seems a little unlikely. How would yesterday's attack fit in? Is that part of town known to have a racial or ethnic 'identity'? Something isn't adding up to me....

That's the thing... at first, it was thought it was racially motivated. But the fact that yesterday's attack didn't seem to have one single target, makes me believe this is not the case. The neighborhood where the explosion happened yesterday is predominantly white. It's a very well to do neighborhood, with the average home being valued at around $750k (median price).

So, I'm not seeing any similarities. The fact, if this is true, that the package was connected to a trip wire, points to the fact that to me, it's not pointed at a specific person... which would throw all of the vicimology reports out the window as far as I'm concerned.

 

[leyash]

I'm still thinking that there is more than one person involved, maybe up to three, with the possibility of a woman being the one who "delivers" the package. Women are far less conspicuous than men, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[rsd1200]

That's the thing... at first, it was thought it was racially motivated. But the fact that yesterday's attack didn't seem to have one single target, makes me believe this is not the case. The neighborhood where the explosion happened yesterday is predominantly white. It's a very well to do neighborhood, with the average home being valued at around $750k (median price).

So, I'm not seeing any similarities. The fact, if this is true, that the package was connected to a trip wire, points to the fact that to me, it's not pointed at a specific person... which would throw all of the vicimology reports out the window as far as I'm concerned.

I think it may be possible, that he had a personal beef with someone, in one of the first bombings, took care of that, and then just kept on that path for a bit to throw things off, but now, he's just lettin' loose.

 

[leyash]

I think it may be possible, that he had a personal beef with someone, in one of the first bombings, took care of that, and then just kept on that path for a bit to throw things off, but now, he's just lettin' loose.

Very much a possibility.

From the looks of it, the first three could very well be connected as we've found from evidence here.

He is possibly enjoying the fame that he's getting, and just decided to keep it going. Or, he got spooked that possibly they were onto him after the first three, so he decided to throw this one out to throw things off a bit.

 

[Eclipse]

I'm still thinking that there is more than one person involved, maybe up to three, with the possibility of a woman being the one who "delivers" the package. Women are far less conspicuous than men, as far as I'm concerned.

It seems likely the one who leaves/sets up the bombs and a driver dropping them off at a point and picking them up, anyway.

 

[rsd1200]

I'm still thinking that there is more than one person involved, maybe up to three, with the possibility of a woman being the one who "delivers" the package. Women are far less conspicuous than men, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, they have to blend. They have to look like anyone else who may be riding their bike in the area, or jogging, or delivering a package. Most of it has taken place during the evening hours but he's cased these places out. He's likely even driven the streets, on Google Earth, before scoping things out in real life. He may even act like we would, as a prospective home buyer. Drive or jog through in different times of the day/night, different days, to get a feel of the subdivisions, to see when it's best to set up the device.