AUSTIN, Texas _ The investigation into a series of bombings that have caused escalating fear in Austin brought promising new leads Tuesday when authorities say the suspect might have left behind clues to his identity at a FedEx store in the community of Sunset Valley.
Authorities believe the perpetrator shipped an explosive device from the FedEx location on Brodie Lane that was addressed to return to Austin after processing at a transfer facility in Schertz, about 60 miles south. The device instead detonated on a conveyor belt. No one was injured.
Tuesday evening, the FBI confirmed that a second, undetonated bomb sent by the same individual was recovered at a FedEx facility in Southeast Austin. FedEx officials confirmed that they have surrendered a trove of information to law enforcement.
Evidence seized Tuesday includes surveillance videos that "could possibly" show a suspect, said U.S. Rep Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, in an interview with the Associated Press.
The detonation in Schertz was the fifth explosion in the past 18 days, but it brought new hope to an investigation that had been lacking in meaningful clues. It also brought new fears that the bomber or bombers had shifted to relying upon professional carriers instead of leaving package bombs on doorsteps in the overnight hours. Two people have been killed and four have been injured in the attacks.
In a turn that also surprised investigators, the perpetrator used a trip wire to detonate an explosive that was left near a sidewalk on Sunday in Southwest Austin, which officials said demonstrated a degree of skill and sophistication.
Hours after the Schertz explosion, which occurred about 12:30 a.m., Austin police and fire crews began investigating reports of a suspicious package at a similar FedEx sorting facility in Southeast Austin near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, in confirming the package contained a sixth bomb, said, "They are trying to figure out how to open the package without destroying it."
FedEx said in a statement that it has provided law enforcement "extensive evidence related to these packages and the individual that shipped them collected from our advanced technology security systems."
The bombings drew comments Tuesday from President Donald Trump, who called them "terrible."
"The local, state and federal are working hand-in-hand to get to the bottom of it," he said. "This is obviously a very, very sick individual, or maybe individuals. ... We will be very strong. We have all sorts of federal agencies over there right now. We're searching."
The first Austin bombing on March 2 killed Anthony Stephan House, 39, the father of an 8-year-old girl. Police initially thought that Northeast Austin bombing was an isolated event, but investigators' focus and theories changed when the second and third bombings occurred 10 days later.
For the first time, interim Police Chief Brian Manley said Tuesday that the first three package bombs appeared to target specific addresses, but he did not elaborate on whether authorities have any clues about why.
"We do believe that these incidents are all related," Manley told the Austin City Council in a public briefing Tuesday. "That is because of the specific contents of these devices."
Manley said the contingent of federal, state and local authorities that are working tirelessly to stop whoever is behind the bombings is a testament to their commitment.
"We want to reassure the community that we are doing everything that we can do to solve this," Manley said. "For us, it's personal. This is home. ... We want to solve this because this is our community."
Manley's briefing came amid what continues to be a demanding period for the force, whose work has been bolstered by up to 500 federal agents working on the case. City officials have said they will provide whatever resources the Police Department needs to ensure public safety and that the bomber is captured.
Austin police announced that the department has responded to more than 1,200 calls about suspicious packages since 8 a.m. March 12, including 420 calls between 8 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. Officials said they do not want financial considerations to dissuade anyone from calling 911 about an item that they think might be suspicious.
Dozens of investigators assigned to the case, some working around-the-clock, continue to pursue new leads and interview residents of neighborhoods where the explosions have occurred.
Investigators have not released any additional information on investigative leads or whether they had ruled out any possibilities about the bomber's motives.
The explosion Tuesday marked the first time that investigators confirmed the materials the bomb-maker is using. Police in Schertz said the device was crafted using nails as shrapnel. The American-Statesman reported last week that investigators think the suspect is using household items that can be easily purchased at hardware stores to make the bombs.
A FedEx employee who did not want to be named told the Statesman outside the facility that she heard a "loud, metal bang" before staff yelled for people to evacuate. Rattled by what happened, she said she was eager to go home.
In Austin, federal officials on Tuesday swarmed the FedEx Office store on Brodie Lane, collecting any security video and interviewing employees. Police said they think the package that exploded at the sorting facility in Schertz was sent from the store.
Sunset Valley Police Chief Lenn Carter said the store has no drop-off point, so whoever "delivered (the package) had to have come inside the store."
Mike Bouchard, a former assistant director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said it is unusual for a serial bomber to change the delivery method of the explosives as often as the Austin bomber has in the past few days.
"It is surprising because normally bomb-makers stick with the same thing, something they know will work," Bouchard said. "With them coming this quickly with different types, it means this person has likely experimented and is not just trying them out for the first time. The person may have had a plan already."
The frequency of the recent attacks _ there were 10 days between the first two bombings, but only one day between the tripwire explosion and the FedEx incident _ is also notable, Bouchard said.
"The increased frequency in conjunction with the increased media attention, that could be why the person is doing it," he said.
Meanwhile, Manley reiterated his public warning about the ongoing bomb danger.
"I want to continue to remind our community to pay close attention to any suspicious device whether it be a package, a bag, a backpack or anything that looks out of place, do not approach it," Manley said. "Call 911 immediately. Also remember do not move, touch or open unexpected/suspicious packages."
