Authorities have confirmed that the package that exploded at a FedEx facility in Schertz and a suspicious package that was found at a FedEx facility near Austin's airport are connected to the four previous explosions that happened between March 2 and March 18.
The blast on Tuesday, March 20, happened at a FedEx ground distribution center on FM 3009 Highway in Schertz, Texas. Officials onsite said a woman reported ringing in her ears from the blast after the medium-sized package detonated on a conveyor belt, but sustained no injuries.
Austin Interim Police Chief Brian Manley said Tuesday that the package that exploded in Schertz was bound for Austin. Sunset Valley police told KVUE's Jenni Lee that it is believed that this package originated at a FedEx facility southwest of Austin on Brodie Lane.
Another official onsite said it is not believed Schertz or San Antonio were the intended targets. Schertz is located southwest of Austin.
An earlier version of this story said that San Antonio Police Chief McManus reported that there was a second suspicious package at the Schertz facility. SAPD later said McManus misspoke. "There is no secondary device at the Schertz facility."
A man who works down the street from where the explosion happened was shocked to find out it happened so close to home.
"It took me back to 9/11. That same feeling of hopelessness," the man, who did not want to be identified, said. "There's nothing I can do. Just a question of, 'Why? What's going on?'"
FedEx released a statement saying the following:
FedEx has confirmed that a package detonated at a San Antonio FedEx Ground facility early this morning. We have also confirmed that the individual responsible also shipped a second package that has now been secured and turned over to law enforcement. We are thankful that there were no serious injuries from this criminal activity. We have provided law enforcement responsible for this investigation extensive evidence related to these packages and the individual that shipped them collected from our advanced technology security systems. The safety and security measures in place across the FedEx networks are designed to protect the safety of our people, customers and communities, and to assist law enforcement as appropriate.
The FBI said they responded to two suspicious packages in two different locations -- one at the Schertz FedEx facility and one at the McKinney Falls Parkway FedEx facility in Austin.
Officials reported after 10 a.m. that the facility had been secured and an investigation is ongoing, with the City of Schertz working with the FBI and the ATF.
"What I'm being told by federal law enforcement officials is that preliminary reports and preliminary evidence shows that this package was being shipped from an Austin address to an Austin address and would have required some sort of activity at this facility in Schertz," said KVUE reporter Tony Plohetski in a phone interview on KVUE Daybreak.
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told Austin City Council Tuesday morning that the components of the package found in Schertz have led them to believe it is connected to Austin's explosions.
Plohetski reported that local authorities in Schertz have confirmed the package that exploded at a FedEx there was made of nails and shrapnel.
The previous four explosions have not been connected to any sort of delivery service or the U.S. Postal Service.
"If this is connected, we're seeing a major shift where the person may be beginning to rely on professional carriers to distribute these explosive devices," Plohetski said.
Members of a task force investigating the Austin explosions are at the scene of the FedEx explosion in Schertz, according to Plohetski.
The CEO of FedEx said, "We must continuously improve practices and procedures that make our workplace even safer for our employees."
U.S. Postage Service released a statement following the Schertz incident:
The U.S. Postal Service has developed a comprehensive approach to protecting the mailsystem by utilizing a targeted strategy of specialized technology, screening protocols and employee training. The Postal Inspection Service has organized response teams nationwide for investigating suspicious parcels through our Dangerous Mail Investigations (DMI) Program. DMI Inspectors are trained to recognize the common characteristics of suspicious mail and are highly proficient in the use of state-of-the-art equipment to include portable X-ray machines. Any reports of suspicious mailings are taken very seriously, as they may impact the safety of postal employees and disrupt the processing of mail. We strive to provide a safe and secure mailsystem, preserve the integrity of the mail, and, most importantly, ensure a safe environment for postal employees, Postal Service customers, and the American public. In order to prevent attempts to compromise the effectiveness of our investigative methods, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does not comment publicly on our investigative procedures and operational protocols.
Austin police, the FBI and ATF are still working to determine who's behind the previous four explosions in Austin they believe are connected. The most recent blast happened Monday, March 19 in the Travis Country neighborhood. Two men in their 20s were injured in the blast but are expected to be OK. Investigators believe a tripwire was used to detonate the bomb. They said it's a significant shift from the first three cases where a package was left on the front doorstep of a home overnight.
"The Austin Police Department is aware of the incident that has occurred in Schertz, Texas, and is working closely on the investigation with our federal partners, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives," said Brian Manley, Interim Police Chief of the Austin Police Department. "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. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Also remember do not move, touch or open unexpected/suspicious packages."
A $115,000 reward is being offered for anybody who has information about who could be behind these explosions.
"The law enforcement needs us to be their eyes and their ears, identify things that we see that might be suspicious,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Tuesday. "As a community we should also know that the resources that are being brought to bear here are unlimited … we are not in this alone.”