Another explosion in Austin injures two, might have been triggered by trip wire

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley discusses a new explosion

(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/KXAN)

last updated 19 March 2018

On Sunday night, an explosion of some kind injured two men in their 20s in southwest Austin, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services. In a short press briefing, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said it is not yet clear if the explosion is related to the three package bombs that killed two people and injured another on March 2 and March 12 in eastern and northern Austin. The two people injured on Sunday night suffered "significant" but apparently "non-life-threatening" injuries, he added, and police and FBI agents are working to "clear" a suspicious backpack from the area. Manley urged residents within a half-mile of the blast to remain indoors until at least morning.

"Do not touch any packages or anything that looks like a package — do not even go near it at this time," Manley told residents. "Given the darkness we have not had an opportunity to really look at this blast site to determine what has happened." Earlier Sunday, Manley raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of the bomber to $115,000 from $50,000. He said investigators haven't ruled out any motive and don't yet have any clear idea of "what the ideology is behind this."

Update 2:55 ET: Manley said in a second press briefing early Monday that the explosion, believed to be some sort of bomb, may have been set off by a trip wire. The victims were riding or pushing bikes. He said police are waiting until daylight to examine the blast scene. "We are working under the belief that this is related to the other bombing incidents" in March, Manley said, and a chemical analysis of the explosion will probably provide the conclusive evidence.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.