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San Antonio explosion: Serial bomber hunt escalates as package intended for Austin blows up in FedEx building

Worker suffers 'percussion-type' injury in blast amid reports device contained nails and shrapnel

Tom Embury-Dennis
Tuesday 20 March 2018 11:07 GMT
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Scene outside a FedEx depot in Texas where a bomb exploded on a conveyer belt

A package bound for Austin, Texas, has blown up at a FedEx distribution centre near San Antonio, reportedly injuring a female worker.

The blast came two days after a fourth powerful homemade bomb was set off in Austin. Two people have been killed and six more injured in what appears to be the work of a serial bomber.

The latest device exploded shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning at a building in Schertz, a city 65 miles south of Austin, officials said.

There were unconfirmed reports the package contained nails and shrapnel. One employee apparently suffered a "percussion-type" injury from the blast.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were at the scene, with officials saying the package is likely linked to a string of explosions in Austin.

On Monday, Austin police said they were looking for a suspect after the fourth package bomb to strike the city this month showed a "higher level of skill" than the previous three.

Police Chief Brian Manley urged residents in a south-west neighbourhood of the city to be cautious of suspicious packages after Sunday's blast, triggered using a trip wire, injured two cyclists.

“The belief that we are now dealing with is someone who uses trip wires shows a higher level of sophistication, a higher level of skill,” Mr Manley said during a Monday morning press conference.

The carnage appears to be random, police said. It followed suggestions the package bombs were targeting minorities after two black men were killed by earlier devices.

Authorities, who have been unable to identify a suspect despite numerous tip offs, described an evolving strategy by the bomber.

They noted the bombs may now be triggered by twine, fishing line, or any number of trip wires, and that people should be careful around the city.

Parents were warned children could be at risk, and that extra caution should be taken to ensure youngsters do not wander off where a bomb could have been installed.

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