Deadly package bombs probed
TWO parcel bombs rattled the US city of Austin on Monday, 10 days after a similar deadly blast, as Texas police were investigating the possibility that the attacks were serial hate crimes.
The explosions came as Austin welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors for the South by Southwest festival.
A 17-year-old was killed early on Monday morning after bringing a package into his home and opening it, while a woman living at the same address was wounded.
A second explosion later that morning left an elderly woman in critical condition, after she was wounded picking up a package in front of her home.
The twin bombings followed an initial blast on March 2, when a 39-year-old man was killed – also after opening a parcel bomb.
“We are imploring the community, if you know anything about these attacks, it is imperative that you come forward,” Austin police chief Brian Manley told a media conference.
The Texas governor’s office offered a $15 000 (R176 849) reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Investigators have found no evidence so far of a terrorism link, and have yet to establish a definite motive or profile for the bomber, Manley said.
“We have had two victims who were African American, and the victim of this latest incident was a 75-year-old Hispanic woman,” he said.
“So, we are still working to identify whether or not that may play a role, but we are not going to rule that out.”
The police chief urged those attending the festival to be aware of what was going on.
Residents have been warned to avoid opening unexpected items left at their doorsteps and to report anything suspicious to the police. – AFP