Austin bombing suspect Mark Anthony Conditt blows himself up as SWAT closes in
- 6 years ago
The man believed to be reasonable for a wave of bombings in Austin, Texas this month blew himself up on Wednesday as a SWAT team closed in on him.
Ro Aram reports.
Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old as Mark Anthony Conditt and tracked him down to a hotel just north of Austin.
They were following his vehicle when he pulled to the side of the road and detonated a device, killing himself.
He had made a 25-minute video confessing to be behind five bombings since the start of the month that killed two people and injured five others in Austin and San Antonio.
"But what I can tell you having listened to that recording, he does not at all mention anything about terrorism, nor does he mention anything about hate, but instead it is the outcry of a very challenged young man talking about challenges in his personal life that led him to this point."
His motive, however, remains a mystery and law enforcement officials were unable to say if he acted alone.
Bomb technicians also found homemade explosives and components at his residence in Pflugerville, where he was living with two roommates.
Both were questioned by law enforcement, but were not suspected of any crimes.
Police are confident no more bombs are out in the public, but still warned people to remain vigilant.
Officials were able to identify Conditt using surveillance footage from a FedEx store south of Austin, where he could be seen dropping off two packages wearing a cap and disguised in a blonde wig.
They were unable to say if the packages were linked to the bombings, but the most recent explosion on Tuesday occurred at a FedEx facility in San Antonio.
A second unexploded package bomb was discovered at another FedEx facility near Austin.
Police gave few details about Conditt, but his neighbors said he was home schooled before attending Austin Community College from 2010 to 2012, when he dropped out.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
Ro Aram reports.
Police identified the suspect as 23-year-old as Mark Anthony Conditt and tracked him down to a hotel just north of Austin.
They were following his vehicle when he pulled to the side of the road and detonated a device, killing himself.
He had made a 25-minute video confessing to be behind five bombings since the start of the month that killed two people and injured five others in Austin and San Antonio.
"But what I can tell you having listened to that recording, he does not at all mention anything about terrorism, nor does he mention anything about hate, but instead it is the outcry of a very challenged young man talking about challenges in his personal life that led him to this point."
His motive, however, remains a mystery and law enforcement officials were unable to say if he acted alone.
Bomb technicians also found homemade explosives and components at his residence in Pflugerville, where he was living with two roommates.
Both were questioned by law enforcement, but were not suspected of any crimes.
Police are confident no more bombs are out in the public, but still warned people to remain vigilant.
Officials were able to identify Conditt using surveillance footage from a FedEx store south of Austin, where he could be seen dropping off two packages wearing a cap and disguised in a blonde wig.
They were unable to say if the packages were linked to the bombings, but the most recent explosion on Tuesday occurred at a FedEx facility in San Antonio.
A second unexploded package bomb was discovered at another FedEx facility near Austin.
Police gave few details about Conditt, but his neighbors said he was home schooled before attending Austin Community College from 2010 to 2012, when he dropped out.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.