The man police suspected of being responsible for the spree of parcel bombings that has shaken Austin, Texas, has died after detonating an explosive device inside a vehicle as law enforcement authorities were closing in.
The suspected serial bomber died after pulling over on Interstate 35 while he was being pursued by police. An armed officer suffered minor injuries in the explosion as police approached the vehicle as a second fired his weapon at the suspect.
Austin Police said they were following the vehicle after closing in on a person of interest over the past couple of days. Surveillance images of the potential suspect delivering packages at the South Austin FedEx office store were obtained by CBS Austin prior to the incident at I-35.
Police have not released the name of the deceased suspect as he has not been formally identified. They also have not been able to offer a motive for the series of explosions that has rocked Austin for the past week weeks. Police Chief Brian Manley identified the suspect only as a 24-year-old white male.
Police said they are still investigating to ensure that "no other packages or devices have been left throughout the community" and are urging local residents to remain vigilant.
"We don't know if he was on his way to deliver another bomb," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters. "He had one with him, and that's what he detonated as we approached."
Two people have been killed and five others wounded following a series of explosions since the beginning of March, with at least one unexploded device found at a FedEx center also believed to be linked.
Police also believed a tripwire that injured two people on a sidewalk was also set up by the same suspect.
In the latest incident, a package exploded at a FedEx sorting center near San Antonio on the same day one that failed to detonate was discovered at a FedEx facility near Austin.
Police previously offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the culprit of the suspected serial bomber.
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