AUSTIN — AUSTIN -- Federal officials have unsealed an arrest affidavit for the Austin bomber who terrorized the city throughout the month of March. KVUE has also learned that his case has been dismissed in federal court.
Many of the details in the affidavit obtained by KVUE April 9 were previously known, but the affidavit describes more information about the explosive devices, including the fact that a PVC pipe was used. Authorities said at a press conference after the documents were unsealed that the complaint was filed a couple of hours before the bomber killed himself. Authorities said he was originally charged with one count of the unlawful possession and transfer of a destructive device.
"That does not mean that’s the only thing we would have charged him with," U.S. Attorney John Bash said. "... That offense was included so that we could get the complaint on file and obtain the arrest warrant and pick him up and bring him into custody."
On March 2, Anthony House died after picking up a package that exploded. On March 12, two package explosions happened within hours of each other, killing 17-year-old Draylen Mason and injuring 75-year-old Esperanza "Hope" Herrera. Two men in their 20s were hurt when a device activated by what police called a tripwire exploded along Dawn Song Drive on March 18. A package also exploded at a FedEx facility in Schertz, Texas, on March 20.
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The affidavit states the bomber attempted to conceal the device in the explosion that injured two men along Dawn Song Drive in southwest Austin by placing a sign that said, "Drive like your kids live here." Police said that sign was allegedly purchased by the Austin bomber at a Home Depot located in Round Rock on March 13, the affidavit said. The bomber also purchased work gloves at the Home Depot similar to those he was seen wearing in security footage at the FedEx store in South Austin, according to the affidavit.
The same day that a package exploded in Schertz, a suspicious package was investigated at a FedEx facility located at McKinney Falls Parkway in Austin.
"Preliminary analysis of the device revealed that it consisted of a PVC pipe casing with a metal pipe inside surrounded by shrapnel," the warrant said.
All six of the explosive devices found in the investigation used shrapnel, according to the affidavit. The affidavit also shows "multiple other individuals were investigated for potential links to the destructive devices. None of those persons were deemed likely to be involved."
Authorities said at the press conference that no other suspects are currently in custody and they have no reason to believe there are other suspects. The Austin bomber's roommates are not in custody at this time, but the investigation continues, authorities said.
"The investigation is continuing for all of these incidents and this information continues to develop as the investigation continues," an ATF special agent stated in the federal affidavit filed in court April 9.
Investigators are still looking at the bomber's intent and motivations.
At the press conference Monday, officials also addressed the possibility of releasing the confessional recording obtained from the bomber. While they are still considering the possibility, officials said they are weighing the idea that releasing the recording could allow his voice to live online and possibly inspire other attackers. Authorities said the confessional is a video recording containing only audio.
Officials said they are also considering the release of the video showing the bomber's takedown, but since the video is also currently a part of the officer-involved shooting investigation it cannot be released at this time.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking the community to remain vigilant and to report suspicious packages to the police. Authorities did say they do not believe there are more devices out there.
Read the full affidavit here:
Conditt Affidavit Unsealed (Unsealed). by kvuenews on Scribd
Other documents obtained by KVUE April 9 show that the Austin bomber's case has been dismissed in federal court. Authorities said at the press conference it was dismissed because the defendant is dead, so there will not be a prosecution. Read that document here: