Austin bombing suspect is dead

The suspect in the spate of bombings in Austin, Texas is dead, Austin police say. Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters early Wednesday the 24-year-old male detonated a device in his vehicle after being pursued by police.

Manley said authorities don’t know why the man, who was white, engaged in the bombings. He said the suspect’s identify wouldn’t be released until the medical examiner confirmed it and his next of kin are notified.

Once investigators were satisfied they’d determined who the bomber was, surveillance teams began looking for him and spotted a vehicle he was known to be driving at a hotel in the Austin suburb of Round Rock, Manley said.

I can’t thank the men and women of #AustinPD or our Federal partners enough for their tireless work in restoring peace to our community.

— Brian Manley (@Chief_Manley) March 21, 2018

While police and federal agents were in position around the hotel, the suspect started driving away. Law enforcement followed.  The vehicle then stopped on the side of a road.

At that point, Manley continued,  as an Austin police SWAT team closed in, the suspect fired at them, then detonated a device in vehicle.

One officer was hurt, Manley said.

President Trump tweeted about the developments:

AUSTIN BOMBING SUSPECT IS DEAD. Great job by law enforcement and all concerned!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2018

The five connected explosions killed two people and injured six others. They began on March 2nd.

MORE: Austin likely facing ‘serial bomber,’ police chief says