The loud booms heard in Central Texas Wednesday night were from Fort Hood, according to a spokesperson for the world's most populated military installation.
Ford Hood Spokesperson Tyler Broadway confirmed the 1st Battalion 82nd Field Artillery Regiment was in the field Wednesday night, shooting artillery as part of a week-long training that ends Thursday. Additionally, Broadway said there was an explosive ordnance detachment firing demo ammunition Wednesday night. The detachment has since cleared the range.
Broadway said northerly winds and low barometric pressure Wednesday night likely caused more people to hear the booms.
Late Wednesday night, Temple Police confirmed officers were alerted to exercises at both Fort Hood and SpaceX, fueling the confusion about the root cause of the loud noise.
In the minutes following the loud noise, many social media users speculated about SpaceX -- remembering a 2013 incident, where two nitrogen-filled tanks that were over-pressurized ruptured at the private space company's McGregor location, causing a similar boom. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, McGregor Emergency Management Supervisor Van Smith said first responders were not dispatched to any situations at SpaceX -- appearing to further confirm Fort Hood as the source of the booms.
According to viewers, the booms were heard from as north as Waco, and as far south as Georgetown.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
