Austin Bomber Suspect Blows Himself Up As Cops Prepare for Arrest

By David E. Hubler
Contributor, EDM Digest

Texas officials say a suspect in the series of bombings that terrorized the city of Austin since March 2 died early Wednesday, when he blew himself up in his vehicle as officers closed in to arrest him, The New York Times reported.

A law enforcement official identified the suspect as Mark Anthony Conditt – a 23-year-old white resident of Pflugerville, north of Austin, the Times added.

Two men were killed and several others were injured in the five known bombs that exploded in the state capital between March 2 and March 20. Police said they believe only one person constructed all five explosive devices used in the recent bombings.

Local Police Investigating for Additional Bombs

“We don’t know where this suspect has spent his last 24 hours, and therefore we still need to remain vigilant to ensure that no other packages or devices have been left throughout the community,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told CNN.

Austin residents are being told to remain vigilant until police can determine that there are no additional bombs in the area.

Little Is Known about Conditt’s Background or Motivation

Conditt received a degree from Austin Community College’s Northridge Campus and had worked at Crux Semiconductor in Austin as a “purchasing agent/buyer/shipping and receiving,” according to a profile on a job recruiting website, the Austin American-Statesman said. Conditt previously worked as a computer repair technician.

Little else is known about Conditt because there are few public social media posts under his name.

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are working to try to find a motive for the bombings.