FBI says latest explosion in Texas could have links to earlier blasts in Austin
Earlier in March, two people were killed and four injured in four explosions in Austin.
A package bound for Texas capital Austin exploded at a FedEx facility near San Antonio on Monday, injuring one worker. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the explosion may be linked to a series of blasts reported in Austin in March, according to AP.
“It would be silly for us to not admit that we suspect it’s related,” FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee said in Schertz city. She did not have details of the size, weight or description of the package that exploded on Monday.
In March, two people were killed and four injured in four blasts in Austin. But a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Nicole Strong, said the agency could not confirm whether the latest explosion was related to the earlier blasts, CNN reported.
FedEx Spokesperson Jim McCluskey said the company would not provide any additional information on the package that exploded on Monday “at the moment”.
Interim Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told AP that local officials were “working closely” with federal authorities on the investigation. He said the first three blasts in Austin – two on March 2 and one on March 12 – appeared to be targeted attacks, but the last two were random explosions that could have hurt passersby. A package fastened to a for-sale sign and left on the road caused the last explosion on Sunday.
White House Spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the federal government was doing “whatever is necessary” to apprehend those responsible for Monday’s explosion. She said US President Donald Trump knew about the incidents.