Parcel bomber suspect blows himself up as police move in
A SUSPECT linked with a series of deadly parcel bomb attacks in Texas blew himself up yesterday as police tried to arrest him.
Mark Anthony Conditt, 23, detonated a device in his car after a three-week bombing campaign that killed two people and injured at least five more.
The incident follows four attacks in Austin and one in Schertz, 65 miles away.
Police swat teams confronted the former computer technician after obtaining CCTV footage of him posting two packages in Austin on Sunday night.
Authorities fear the jobless youngster may have posted more homemade devices in the hours before his death.
Austin police chief Brian Manley told reporters yesterday: “As members of the swat team approached the vehicle, the suspect detonated a bomb inside the vehicle, knocking one of our swat officers back.
“One of our swat officers fired at the suspect.
“The suspect is deceased and has significant injuries from a blast that occurred from detonating a bomb inside his vehicle. We do not understand what motivated him to do what TWO lucky readers will win a fantastic two-night stay for two at a Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza Hotel of their choice! LHM UK manages a portfolio of 18 fully serviced Holiday Inns and 3 stylish Crowne Plaza hotels across the UK.
The prize includes two nights, bed and breakfast, with dinner one evening at the hotel’s restaurant for the winner and their guest.
Each contemporary full-service hotel he did.” Governor of Texas Greg Abbott said Conditt lived with two room-mates who were cooperating with the investigation.
He said Conditt had not destroyed his computer devices, which may provide officers with a “treasure trove of information that should shed light on who he is, what he did and why he was doing it”.
The first three devices were parcel bombs dropped off in front of homes in the Austin area.
A fourth went off on Sunday night, apparently detonated with a trip wire, also in Austin. A fifth exploded inside a FedEx facility in nearby Schertz on Tuesday.
Conditt’s two dead victims have been named as Anthony Stephan House, 29, and 17-year-old Draylen Mason.
US President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday: “Austin bombing suspect is dead. Great job by law enforcement and all concerned.” features a modern restaurant, Wi-Fi and Executive rooms. Some hotels in the collection also feature Spirit Health Clubs with heated indoor pools.
For more info, or to view the full hotel list, visit lhmuk.com.
The two nights must be taken consecutively. Dates are subject to availability. The prize must be redeemed by December 2018. Travel is not included.