AUSTIN, Texas — In the hours after investigators learned the identity of the Austin bomber, they faced a difficult decision: Whether to move in after sunset or wait until daylight the next morning.
They knew waiting to raid his Pflugerville home would be safer. But, they also worried that if they did not immediately arrest him on the night of March 20, 2018, he could possibly plant another bomb overnight.
“We knew that he was a very skilled bomb maker and the likelihood t| hat his home at a minimum would contain explosive devices, but also likely may be booby-trapped," Police Chief Brian Manley said.
In the end, police decided to wait to try to arrest the bomber until the morning of March 21.
They abruptly changed plans after they traced him to a motel in Round Rock.
"We've got to get this guy now," FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Combs said.
By 2 a.m., the bomber's 19 days had come to an end after he detonated an explosive inside his SUV.
A year after the Austin bombings, KVUE and the Austin American-Statesman is airing a special report titled, “Stopping the Austin Bomber.” Tune in to KVUE March 8 at 7 p.m.
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