While attention is still focused on mistakes made in Parkland, Florida, another attack is unfolding in Austin as we speak. Three package bombs left on doorsteps have authorities scrambling to end a murder spree.
Reuters reports that, on Monday, a 17-year-old boy was killed and a woman injured after a package containing a bomb was opened. Another similar blast occurred later in the day.
Austin police said there is no clear motive for the two attacks, however they do believe the bombs are linked to a March 2 package bomb explosion that killed a man. Both homes targeted had black residents, but police were not able to ascribe racial motivations.
“We cannot rule out that hate crime is at the core of this, but we are not saying that that is the cause,” Reuters reports Austin Police Chief Brian Manley as saying during a news conference.
One package was found on the front porch and taken to the kitchen, where it later exploded. An unidentified woman in her late 40s was taken to the hospital for treatment; her injuries were reported as being non-life threatening.
Federal investigators have joined the case, according to Manley. In each explosion, it appears that the packages were not delivered by the Post Office, FedEx, UPS or any other delivery service.
We can’t yet label this terrorism, serial murder, or anything else, but a person or persons with bomb-making skills now has the capital of Texas on edge. No society can tolerate such behavior. At this point, all we can do is pray for the injured and the families of the deceased — and be vigilant.
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