TX - Austin Package Bombs

[AgeofAquaruis]

BREAKING OVERNIGHT: A box reportedly filled with nails exploded at a FedEx distribution facility in Schertz, Texas, according to police. Police say they do not yet know if it is connected to the Austin bombings; FBI and ATF responding:*abcn.ws/2FV2j12*pic.twitter.com/oxyewXTaLj

6:05 AM - 20 Mar 2018

eta posted because it states nails which seems to be in each bomb so far

I would like to know who this package was addressed to? I agree, I think this guy is part of the patriot militia movement or an alt-right extremist.

Considering, this bomb was sent via Fed-Ex, I'm worried he is going to go extreme and try to blow up a Fed-Ex plane next. Yikes... I really hope the catch this evil person.

My kxan app just popped up a notification: "Heavy police presence at FedEx facility near Austin airport."

update: "There is a heavy police presence at the FedEx Ground facility in Austin. That facility is at 4117 McKinney Falls Parkway, near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport."

What on Earth is going on???? I'm out of state at the moment and woke up to 3 more locations. The Brodie location is very close to my house as was the trip wire bomb....I shop there all the time. Don't be confused by the name Sunset Valley. It's a tiny town that with Austin's growth has really become just part of Austin. It's really just a shopping area these days with a small number of houses (not sure how many, but not many!). You'd for sure think you're just in Austin going there. That shopping center is on the way to the airport going south. The airport is about a 15 min drive from there. This is all so scary! My kids knew one of the guys who got hurt with the trip wire explosion. We've had to tell our youngest son (19) who loves to go on walks to stop for now! All I can think is I hope they catch this sicko before I return home. My mind wanders and I think oh great I'll be on an inbound flight to Austin. This world is sick these days. I don't understand the desire to hurt people

I found this article to be excellent:

Based on past bomber profiles, this suspect is likely a man, Burton said. The person also likely lives and works in Austin; has practiced making bombs or already had that skill; and spent time on reconnaissance before he set up the bombs. He also says it is possible the suspect has a military background.

"His targeting and his rationale is making perfect sense to him," Burton said. "It’s absolutely crazy for you and I and for your viewers, but there is a method to his madness as well as exactly why he’s chosen these specific venues."

http://www.kxan.com/news/local/aust...ess-who-the-austin-bomber-could-be/1058820583

Just heard that there is a connection to that facility and “some” packages.

They are all going to ANOTHER Fed Ex place Now

http://www.kxan.com/live-stream

Just to clarify:
[FONT=&amp]"ATF spokesperson says a sign was involved in the tripwire, but it was NOT a "for sale" sign like neighbors have said"
[/FONT]http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/two-men-injured-in-explosion-in-southwest-austin/1056692545?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_KXAN_News

I am encouraged by the Fedex facility bombs. If he actually dropped this off at Fedex office, and per the congressman quote, I think they have a decent look at him, so a big plus. And if the unexploded bomb is disabled and analyzed, that could tell them a lot about the bomber, exact type of materials, nails etc and possibly find surveillance at retail of similar purchases etc (hopefully with electronic records etc.). I think things are looking up here.

I didn’t read through this whole thread, but does anyone know if the police have investigated the person that was detonating tannerite bombs January 20th? It was only 6.8 miles away from the fedex store in Sunset Valley that they’re saying a bomb was mailed from.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.st...-south-austin/5oy7LdcFdMWuGdUDhFgzMP/amp.html

My mom was staying at my aunt's house when the bomb in Southwest austin went off. I didn't realize she was so close but they were about a mile and a half away from that explosion. She said she got one of those alerts on her phone like an amber alert saying to stay in her home till 10 am. I was like Mom how could you not telllll me? She has no fear.

CBS Austin
‏
Verified account

@cbsaustin
51s51 seconds ago
More CBS Austin Retweeted CBS Austin
UPDATE: Austin Police have cleared the scene, no danger found

CBS Austin
‏Verified account@cbsaustin
2m2 minutes ago
BREAKING: Whole Foods at Arbor Trails evacuated after reports of suspicious suitcase http://bit.ly/2HO9QiJ video courtesy @sauctin_flexas

maybe the increased risks excite him ... maybe the unknown is also part of the thrill ... maybe he's thinking 'look at these idiots - I do it right under their noses and they still can't catch me'

I shop there! This is nuts...esp watching from another state! I would imagine this sicko will be caught pretty quick!

CBSAustin retweeted Video
@xxxxx
29m29 minutes ago

UPDATE on Travis Country Bomb: Here is a walk-through of where Sunday’s bomb went off, how the trip wire was reportedly attached and the damage it caused. – at Travis Country Trails
https://twitter.com/BettieCrossTV/status/976162373600972800

What!? I was just there a few hours ago!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A home:

FOX 7 Austin
‏Verified account@fox7austin
6m6 minutes ago
APD responds to 849 suspicious package calls http://dlvr.it/QLmRq6
https://twitter.com/fox7austin/status/976175736267534336


CBS Austin Retweeted

UT Austin Police
‏Verified account
@UTAustinPolice
6m6 minutes ago
More
Jester Academic is evacuating for a fire alarm. No sign of smoke at this time. AFD, FPS, and UTPD investigating.

UT Austin Police
‏Verified account @UTAustinPolice
10m10 minutes ago
More
Right now it is so important that you put your phone down while walking. Watch where you step. Take your earbuds out. Listen to what is happening around you. Remind your friends to do it, too. #BeAware, Longhorns, and #BeSafe!

Someone was blowing tannerite bombs off at this marked location on January 20th. It’s 6.8 miles away from the Sunset Valley fedex store, and 9 miles from the trip wire.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.st...-south-austin/5oy7LdcFdMWuGdUDhFgzMP/amp.html

I hate that this has everyone on such high alert. I can't help but wonder if he's sitting somewhere watching all of this unfold and just so smitten with himself.

I agree. It seems odd that he went this way now.

I send things by Fed Ex often. It seems to me that it would be a stupid place to send out a bomb. I think they have video cameras. They do require you to talk to the Fed Ex employee. And give a certain amount of information.

Obviously he could give false info. But even false info can lead to clues when the FBI has the chance to investigate.

If the bomber isn't using the attacks to cover up his intended victim to make it look serial which could be the case , of course further research is need to confirm that. If the bomber is staying to watch first responders, he could be getting somekind of thrill, sexual or not from the bombings so the police will be watching the crowds

Source of information in prior post is Austin American Statesman. Here’s that link:

Sunset Valley FedEx store linked to Schertz bomb; company turns over evidence

https://www.statesman.com/news/loca...ility-authorities-say/CVO2PqvqF9qN8tAQgdw4GK/

2 p.m. (CT) update: FedEx confirmed that the person responsible for shipping a package that exploded in the company’s sorting facility in Schertz also “shipped a second package that has now been secured and turned over to law enforcement.”

I wonder if it was bomber himself,or did he pay someone like a homeless meth head to take it to be shipped. With a promise of drugs,or money once the packages were taken to be shipped.
Maybe far fetched thinking, but we are dealing a sociopath here.

 

[liz b.]

Yes! Back in the day, Seven 11 stores had measurements right in the doorway.

Thought they had video. Hopefully they show it to the public, and soon...

 

[katydid23]

So who bought a 50# box of nails a month or so ago who's not a contractor? Look at big purchases of nails and eliminate known contractors. The perp could be a contractor, but I'm guessing not.

I am not sure it is possible for them to get that info. How many thousands and thousands of peeps buy nails at Home Depot and Lowes, every day? How could they track all of those purchases and find out if they are contractors or not?

My son just built a deck on his patio. He bought a huge canister of nails. I bet hundreds of people have done the same thing in the past week or two.

 

[human]

I am not sure it is possible for them to get that info. How many thousands and thousands of peeps buy nails at Home Depot and Lowes, every day? How could they track all of those purchases and find out if they are contractors or not?

My son just built a deck on his patio. He bought a huge canister of nails. I bet hundreds of people have done the same thing in the past week or two.

A lot of people have random nails left over from projects from years ago

 

[x_files]

I wonder if it was bomber himself,or did he pay someone like a homeless meth head to take it to be shipped. With a promise of drugs,or money once the packages were taken to be shipped.
Maybe far fetched thinking, but we are dealing a sociopath here.

Or a disguise with fake ID, etc...like the Unabomber.

 

[nutkin]

It is important to know who the two at the FedEx facilities were addressed to. I think the 4th bomb is the one that doesn't fit. He put it in a predominately white upper-class neighborhood to throw LE off his trail. I would also say that he probably lives in that general geographic area, especially considering the facility the packages were mailed from. I still believe there is some type of racism involved.

 

[MassGuy]

I wonder if it was bomber himself,or did he pay someone like a homeless meth head to take it to be shipped. With a promise of drugs,or money once the packages were taken to be shipped.
Maybe far fetched thinking, but we are dealing a sociopath here.

I'd be surprised if he didn't take some measures to somehow mail those packages without directly exposing his identity. His methods are getting more sophisticated and he now has the attention he's looking for so I think it's unlikely that he just decided to let himself be caught by basically telling law enforcement who he is. That being said, I don't see how this isn't a huge source of evidence for LE, especially with the potential of a second package that hasn't exploded.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I am not sure it is possible for them to get that info. How many thousands and thousands of peeps buy nails at Home Depot and Lowes, every day? How could they track all of those purchases and find out if they are contractors or not?

My son just built a deck on his patio. He bought a huge canister of nails. I bet hundreds of people have done the same thing in the past week or two.

Agree. You can buy a cache of basic materials from Chinese suppliers like Alibaba or Aliexpress as well.

 

[enelram]

A lot of people have random nails left over from projects from years ago

They call them 'nail bombs' but often times the perp uses other miscellaneous metal things like nuts and bolts, knives
and metal scraps.

 

[Hatfield]

This article is 3 hours old and it sounds like LE should be able to identify someone pretty quick now.

Once an arrest is made I have to then wonder if more than one person did the other bombings. I do think LE will get the person that shipped the Fedex packages.

"We have provided law enforcement responsible for this investigation extensive evidence related to these packages and the individual that shipped them collected from our advanced technology security systems.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...x-facility-police-say/?utm_term=.2e2776d988a7

 

[enelram]

I am not sure it is possible for them to get that info. How many thousands and thousands of peeps buy nails at Home Depot and Lowes, every day? How could they track all of those purchases and find out if they are contractors or not?

My son just built a deck on his patio. He bought a huge canister of nails. I bet hundreds of people have done the same thing in the past week or two.

Nails could have been stolen from a former employer who was a contractor. Laborers on construction sites steal all kinds of stuff.

 

[arkansasmimi]

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 4:31 PM

A mysterious social media user claims to be behind the bombings that have terrorized Texas in recent weeks, vowing that he won't stop until he becomes "as prolific as the Zodiac Killer."

The poster said he's between "30-50 years old," and insisted that he doesn't have "any terminal illness or anything like that." The account was quickly suspended and its messages scrubbed from the site.

A spokesman for the Austin Police Department confirmed to the Daily News that authorities are aware of the unsettling posts.

"We are currently investigating them," the spokesman said, declining to confirm whether the Reddit user is considered a suspect. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...stin-bomber-compares-zodiac-article-1.3886094

 

[liz b.]

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 4:31 PM

A mysterious social media user claims to be behind the bombings that have terrorized Texas in recent weeks, vowing that he won't stop until he becomes "as prolific as the Zodiac Killer."

The poster said he's between "30-50 years old," and insisted that he doesn't have "any terminal illness or anything like that." The account was quickly suspended and its messages scrubbed from the site.

A spokesman for the Austin Police Department confirmed to the Daily News that authorities are aware of the unsettling posts.

"We are currently investigating them," the spokesman said, declining to confirm whether the Reddit user is considered a suspect. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...stin-bomber-compares-zodiac-article-1.3886094

Just saw this on Reddit. So bizarre, but who knows ?

 

[nutkin]

That is kind of scary IF that is really the person responsible. Zodiac DID threaten to bomb a school bus.

 

[MassGuy]

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 4:31 PM

A mysterious social media user claims to be behind the bombings that have terrorized Texas in recent weeks, vowing that he won't stop until he becomes "as prolific as the Zodiac Killer."

The poster said he's between "30-50 years old," and insisted that he doesn't have "any terminal illness or anything like that." The account was quickly suspended and its messages scrubbed from the site.

A spokesman for the Austin Police Department confirmed to the Daily News that authorities are aware of the unsettling posts.

"We are currently investigating them," the spokesman said, declining to confirm whether the Reddit user is considered a suspect. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...stin-bomber-compares-zodiac-article-1.3886094

This type of thing happens with every case involving a great deal of media coverage. People are undoubtedly coming out of the woodwork and unfortunately, it only hampers the investigation by expending resources that could better be used elsewhere. The worst is when people do it during missing person's cases.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Just saw this on Reddit. So bizarre, but who knows ?

Kinda like the crazy that emailed the threat on Saturday. Stupid, because what they did was not only stupid but will put them in prison for years! Makes no sense.

 

[arkansasmimi]

This type of thing happens with every case involving a great deal of media coverage. People are undoubtedly coming out of the woodwork and unfortunately, it only hampers the investigation by expending resources that could better be used elsewhere. The worst is when people do it during missing person's cases.

And I also think that is another reason that LEO is not giving out too much info. Holding back to see inf the "UNSUB" back to my Criminal Minds show. I know it is only a show but makes sense that they withhold info, they are wanting the person to contact them. With the crazies, the LEO know they are crazy and can get to them fast. They have certain things that only the bomber/bombers would only know. JMHO

 

[human]

Kinda like the crazy that emailed the threat on Saturday. Stupid, because what they did was not only stupid but will put them in prison for years! Makes no sense.

I am quite sure they would have parking lot video as well.

 

[x_files]

Kinda like the crazy that emailed the threat on Saturday. Stupid, because what they did was not only stupid but will put them in prison for years! Makes no sense.

What was the SXSW bomb threat guys motive? besides, stop a show? this is insane.
https://www.statesman.com/news/brea...ne-die-affidavit-says/AO3oJK3irlv1ilByeen6JM/

 

[arkansasmimi]

Authorities chasing a serial bomber in Austin who is organized, sophisticated — and moving quickly
Bart Jansen and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY Published 5:15 p.m. ET March 20, 2018
<snip>
Kirstjen Nielsen, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, told reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that her department is working with FBI to support the investigation in an effort to prevent any more injuries.

Nielson said the case wasn't unprecedented because of previous bombers who mailed explosives. But she said this case is unusual because the explosions are coming in a relatively tight geographic area and faster time frame.

&#8220;Not like this, not with packages, not in a geographic limited area and certainly not within this time frame," Nielson said. "This has been a very accelerated time frame as you know. So we&#8217;ll continue to work with FBI and state and locals.&#8221;

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...ombers-rare-and-difficult-identify/442939002/