Austin Terrorist Bombing Suspect Kills Himself As Police Close In

Mark Anthony Conditt

From The New York Times:

A suspect in the series of bombings that have terrorized the city of Austin, Tex., died early Wednesday, blowing himself up in his vehicle as officers closed in on him, the authorities said.

A law enforcement official identified the suspect as Mark Anthony Conditt, a 23-year-old white man.

Officials did not rule out the possibility that the man had accomplices.

“We do not understand what motivated him to do what he did,” said the Austin police chief, Brian Manley.

The first explosions hit African-American residents whose families are well-known in the city’s black community, though two white men were injured by an explosive triggered by a tripwire on Sunday. Chief Manley did not address any potential motive, including race.

Law enforcement officials cautioned that the bomber could have planted other explosives that have not yet detonated. “We still need to remain vigilant,” Chief Manley said. “We do not know where he has been in the past 24 hours.”