Austin bombing suspect dead

Austin bombing suspect dead; I-35 shut down

by CBS Austin

Austin Police sources tell CBS Austin that the Austin bombing suspect is dead after an officer-involved shooting on I-35 in Round Rock, Texas. (KEYE)

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KEYE) - The suspect in a string of bombings that terrorized the city of Austin for the last three weeks is dead.

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced in a press conference early Wednesday morning that the suspect had killed himself after being encountered by police on Interstate 35 in Round Rock.


According to Manley, in the last 24 to 36 hours after multiple tips, a person of interest under investigation became a suspect -- a 24-year-old white man who has not yet been identified.

APD surveillance teams searched for the suspect, who located his vehicle at a hotel in Round Rock.

Manley says that as APD attempted to amass tactical vehicles in order to confront the suspect, the vehicle left the hotel.

Police followed the suspect's vehicle, which then pulled over into a ditch on I-35.

As SWAT officers approached the suspect's vehicle, the suspect detonated a bomb inside it, killing himself.

A SWAT officer, an 11-year veteran of the APD, fired on the suspect. That officer is now on administrative leave.

Manley says the incident that led to the suspect's death will be investigated by the Austin Police Monitor and the Texas Rangers.

President Donald Trump tweeted out congratulations early Wednesday morning, saying, "Great job by law enforcement and all concerned!"

Police still do not have a motive but urge the public to remain vigilant, as they don't know the suspect's whereabouts for the last 24 hours.

APD cautions more devices may be out there.

I-35 is expected to be closed for four to six hours during the investigation.

The five connected explosions killed two people and injured six others. They began March 2.

Surveillance video from the FedEx Office store on Brodie Lane in South Austin helped investigators zero in on the person of interest who is now reportedly dead.