Texas Bombings

i expect a lot of plot twists on this one tbh

Scary stuff.

Yep, that's a serial bomber IMHO.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/19/us/austin-explosions/index.html

For the fourth time this month, a device exploded on Austin residents. What makes Sunday night's blast especially terrifying is that the device was left on the side of a residential road and triggered by a tripwire, police said Monday.

By s y Go To PostScary stuff.

honestly...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-blast/fifth-package-bomb-strikes-texas-at-fedex-facility-near-san-antonio-idUSKBN1GW136

the shit don't add up for me for a lot of reasons. these guys are way too good right out the gate, but they're also flying in separate directions at the same time.

the victim operated package bombs and 'tripwire' stuff aren't stuff you just throw together one after the other. even setting those two approaches up don't line up. then this recent thing with a fedex catching the blast? nah

no statements or anything as well?

this ain't backyard militia shit at all. way too good with no warmup run. huge red flags on this whole situation

By The Frankman Go To PostYep, that's a serial bomber IMHO.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/19/us/austin-explosions/index.html

those reports aren't detailed enough imo

but even then... they can say that those bombs are 'similar' all they want but tripwires and a motion-sensitive self contained trigger are very, very different setups and even the bomb itself would have to be arranged differently to have comparable damaging effects/scale. you also don't just lay out a tripwire ezpz without gauging volume of traffic, type of traffic, surveillance, etc ahead of time. on top of that, if you're trying to kill people one or two at a time to incite terror (which was the point of the residence bombings) vs maim them (the roadside ied), then your roadside ied has to be a directed blast. the same materials may be used, but everything from the power source to the detonator to the container has to adjusted - and that's not something you do with your first run at bomb making.

its also not the same as what you'd do to discreetly drop off shit on several doorsteps without running into any significant cameras/monitoring. you need way more time to put together a tripwire type of ied - on top of that, two guys on a bike? that juice isn't worth the squeeze. it feels like those guys couldn't have been the intended target at all while the packages were put right where they needed to be.

then this fed ex shipping center bomb?

if this is one guy ie hometrained, angry loner im calling bullshit lol.

Yeah is is obviously concerning. There's no camera footage either afaik. I'm not even sure how you catch the suspect(s) either tbh unless they call in to a station or start taunting police and create a trail that can be followed.

Yeah. People tend to think all bombings are to overthrow crap and anything but from the shit my sis used to tell me and the things I'd hear when I worked with the military... there are people who make bombs to make one big statement, there are people who make bombs because they got cut in line at the DMV, there are people who make bombs because it's Tuesday, and there are people who make bombs who plan crap out as part of a larger scale.

I'm with Dy on this, this doesn't feel like some punk kid raging in college and it doesn't have the feel of a ISIS sympathizer/militia nut rebelling against the government.

EDIT: Not sure I buy into the hate crime narrative yet either.

Has to be multiple people right? Once you start using mail, at some point it could be traced? Clearly whoever is doing the tripwire and home bombs is smart enough to not get caught, mailing things seems like a move that could upend all that?

yeah... im not down with the unabomber layout or the hate crime angle.

only thing i can say is that its just too good from the start. also, the san antonio explosion feels like a clear attempt to stretch LE's net past their initial areas - but that's only under the assumption that its all the same group.

plus with this type of shit you have to assume that live bombs are just waiting out there and that LE/first responders are going to be explicitly targeted too

By Smokey Go To PostHas to be multiple people right? Once you start using mail, at some point it could be traced? Clearly whoever is doing the tripwire and home bombs is smart enough to not get caught, mailing things seems like a move that could upend all that?

either copycat or a deliberate attempt to shake patterns and stretch a search out. not much to go off of though.

its really hard to say because there's not much information put out there regarding the ieds at all. i just know with the information given, there's way more story than just "guy good with bombs is blowing up people, stay tuned"

That would be a pretty quick turnaround for a copycat bomber...

By s y Go To PostThat would be a pretty quick turnaround for a copycat bomber…

most copycat shooters don't even get shots off. going from perfectly placed victim operated packages to stuff that blows up randomly and kinda sorta hurts one guy in a huge shipping center is all over the place.

all this is weird because most bomb makers stick to one kind of format. you don't go from making deadman switch vests to timed pressure cookers in the span of a few weeks, especially without fucking yourself up along the way.

im just saying given what's been released, its not adding up on several levels

I’m going ex-military right wing loons that have been going ham on right wing radio

By Smokey Go To Post

https://twitter.com/KXAN_News/status/976107317497344000

tbf smokey, police are no doubt getting calls for every box and suspicious trash can in the entire state

It's pretty weird but you have to keep on living. I feel terrible for the families affected so far, but fortunately there has not been something large scale so we're lucky in that regard. Presumably if the FedEx package(s) are related, there will be at least a little more evidence available to try and pinpoint origination.

By DY_nasty Go To Posttbf smokey, police are no doubt getting calls for every box and suspicious trash can in the entire state

yeah but this where that package was shipped from

By DY_nasty Go To Posttbf smokey, police are no doubt getting calls for every box and suspicious trash can in the entire state

Interesting, for more context to this tweet (I didn't have any), it sounds like the crew at this FedEx store in Austin thinks the package that blew up in Schertz originated there. Perhaps testing to see if he could actually get a package somewhere through commercial means without it exploding?

More info here: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/suspicious-package-reported-austin-fedex-facility-authorities-say/CVO2PqvqF9qN8tAQgdw4GK/new.html

That location is only a few miles from where I live.

By Smokey Go To Postyeah but this where that package was shipped from

reading the reuters update now and they're saying it was two packages at the fedex place? one exploded and the other didn't?

i also have no idea how you only suffer a concussion and nothing else from shit packed with nails but aite

im ready to just stop following updates on this one. the inconsistencies and gaps are driving me crazy

By DY_nasty Go To Postreading the reuters update now and they're saying it was two packages at the fedex place? one exploded and the other didn't?

i also have no idea how you only suffer a concussion and nothing else from shit packed with nails but aite

im ready to just stop following updates on this one. the inconsistencies and gaps are driving me crazy

The other package reported on today was at the FedEx sorting facility here in Austin -- I don't believe they've confirmed if there were any explosives in it or the origin of it. Going by the fact it's in a different location, it probably at least had a different class of shipping. It's remained described as suspicious.

The one that exploded at the sorting facility in Schertz (outside San Antonio) is now being reported as likely having been shipped from a FedEx store in Austin. The working theory mentioned in the Statesman article is that the destination was another address in Austin.. we know they sometimes do weird stuff with package sorting even if it's not going far.

By Meier Go To PostThe other package reported on today was at the FedEx sorting facility here in Austin – I don't believe they've confirmed if there were any explosives in it or the origin of it. Going by the fact it's in a different location, it probably at least had a different class of shipping. It's remained described as suspicious.

The one that exploded at the sorting facility in Schertz (outside San Antonio) is now being reported as likely having been shipped from a FedEx store in Austin. The working theory mentioned in the Statesman article is that the destination was another address in Austin.. we know they sometimes do weird stuff with package sorting even if it's not going far.

gotcha. im going off of the reuters updates since the reddit stuff is pulling from everywhere

By Meier Go To PostInteresting, for more context to this tweet (I didn't have any), it sounds like the crew at this FedEx store in Austin thinks the package that blew up in Schertz originated there. Perhaps testing to see if he could actually get a package somewhere through commercial means without it exploding?

More info here: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/suspicious-package-reported-austin-fedex-facility-authorities-say/CVO2PqvqF9qN8tAQgdw4GK/new.html

that's another thing that doesn't make sense. why risk delivering the previous bombs by hand and implementing safeties for handlers only to turn around and make life harder?

you dont go through all the trouble of scouting residential areas that have minimal surveillance for extended periods only to walk into a place that you know is monitored and gives you little to zero chance of doing any real damage with the bombs you've constructed (and its not even clear if they're working from a stockpile or what tbh)... its too dumb considering how they started. but again, no clue. this is weird af

whoever is doing this doesn't need to obey any timeline or schedule either so even the timing of this recent stuff is odd to me

Looks like he slipped up.

By Smokey Go To PostLooks like he slipped up.

You assuming it is just one person.

By Kibner Go To PostYou assuming it is just one person.

And that's it's a he

lol

By Kibner Go To PostYou assuming it is just one person.

Whoever it is, 1, 5, 25, slipped up.

By Smokey Go To PostWhoever it is, 1, 5, 25, slipped up.

Naw, I meant more that just one person/org may have been caught but that it may not affect the possibility of an unrelated entity carrying out the same shit.

I know less about this shit that's going on than you, though, tbh.

There's not many people who can make a bomb and do so without killing themselves, let alone trip wires and all that. This seems to have been the next step. Can we send stuff through the mail with no issues. For that reason if it's not 1 it's maybe a few more that the bomb maker has taught. Probably got a little too cute after seeing the trip bomb successfully work. It can't be too many people because too large of a number, somebody can't keep their mouth shut.

By Smokey Go To PostThere's not many people who can make a bomb and do so without killing themselves, let alone trip wires and all that. This seems to have been the next step. Can we send stuff through the mail with no issues. For that reason if it's not 1 it's maybe a few more that the bomb maker has taught. Probably got a little too cute after seeing the trip bomb successfully work.

here's the thing, if you know how to do all this other shit - you know damn well you can't ship anything sensitive effectively or discreetly lol

By Smokey Go To PostWhoever it is, 1, 5, 25, slipped up.

that's not a slip

if you catch the guy who's responsible for this fedex stuff and stop looking because you believe you won, you fucked up. you simply don't go from that start to dropping shit off at shipping centers with the same overall purpose.

this is the kind of thing you could do over months or years if you're really about it like how they showed they could be. slipping would be getting caught moving a bunch of readymade pipebombs during a routine traffic stop while crossing state lines. i dont know what the hell this is.

By DY_nasty Go To Posthonestly…

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-blast/fifth-package-bomb-strikes-texas-at-fedex-facility-near-san-antonio-idUSKBN1GW136

the shit don't add up for me for a lot of reasons. these guys are way too good right out the gate, but they're also flying in separate directions at the same time.

the victim operated package bombs and 'tripwire' stuff aren't stuff you just throw together one after the other. even setting those two approaches up don't line up. then this recent thing with a fedex catching the blast? nah

no statements or anything as well?

this ain't backyard militia shit at all. way too good with no warmup run. huge red flags on this whole situation

FBI says they haven't the slightest clue too. They're trying to talk these people out of hiding. "what do you want? Why are you targeting Austin. Do you have a message?"

Secretive doomsday like cult is the vibe I'm getting but I could be way off base. It's Texas. Could be from a huge compound somewhere. Would explain the different and similar elements to it. Different people, same general knowledge and motive even if we can't make heads or tails of the reasoning. So far it's just indiscriminate attacks against vulnerable civilian targets since now some white people have been hurt. I'm getting Charlie Manson meets Unabomber vibes but we shall see.

Another day another bombing ... details just coming out

We may have copy cats already popping off

my mom has a good friend that lives in austin that she was supposed to visit this weekend. shes legit reconsidering, this too wild.

i have no idea how you even tackle this one

wish the best for everyone trying to take this on

By DY_nasty Go To Posti have no idea how you even tackle this one

Thoughts & Prayers. If you ban bombs, then only criminals will have them.

Like I’m not even ordering shit via amazon if I live there. Just as a house rule

“Babe I found this box on the door, did you buy something online?”

Depending on how it's rigged you might just be fucked leaving out your front door period.

By Random Ass Username Go To PostDepending on how it's rigged you might just be fucked leaving out your front door period.

yeah...

i'm probably gonna end up calling my dallas pd people later on this week. i don't think there's a real frame of reference on how to deal with this short of the dc sniper situation

I mean as a general chance of death you’re still probably on par with driving in a car, but that’s not the point with this terrorist type shit. You don’t generally do a risk assessment when going to your front door or grabbing a box that was delivered. Fucking crazy

By Fenderputty Go To PostI mean as a general chance of death you’re still probably on par with driving in a car, but that’s not the point with this terrorist type shit. You don’t generally do a risk assessment when going to your front door or grabbing a box that was delivered. Fucking crazy

It's like Norm MacDonald said... "What are the chances a terrorist will attack and kill you? Like 0 percent. What are the chances you'll be attacked and killed by your own heart? Something like 100%, I think."

one big thing that concerns is me that they're not even disclosing the size or description of the packages from earlier

depending on the type of materials used.... yeah, im shook lol

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-blast-fedex/fedex-to-scan-every-parcel-at-two-texas-facilities-after-blast-idUSKBN1GX03B

The FedEx manager with knowledge of the incident said the blast appeared to have been set off by a mechanical arm that diverts packages along a conveyer belt. When the arm came out and hit the package, it exploded on the sorter just as it entered a chute, he said.

“The good thing is it went off when it was going down the chute,” he said. “The chute actually shielded anybody below from the blast.”

that explains a lot. geez

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/reddit-user-claims-austin-bomber-compares-zodiac-article-1.3886094

A mysterious social media user claims to be behind the bombings that have terrorized Texas in recent weeks, vowing that he won't stop until he becomes "as prolific as the Zodiac Killer."

"My intention is not to kill people. I am doing this simply because I want to watch the world burn," someone using the handle "austinbomber" posted on Reddit Tuesday.

The anonymous user made a string of disturbing messages in which he compared himself to the Zodiac, the notorious serial killer who was never caught or identified even though he murdered at least five people in California in the 1960s and '70s.

The self-professed Austin bomber denied suggestions that the attacks are racially motivated.

Actual edgelord or just an edgelord persona?

No idea if he's genuine but a lot of serial and spree killers are edgelords. Unfortunately they kill people instead of just writing in diaries or creating shitty music to deal with angst.

Who the fuck randomly bombs people? Like I feel like that’s pretty specific and not just any old Edgelord type shit.

By Smokey Go To Posthttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/reddit-user-claims-austin-bomber-compares-zodiac-article-1.3886094

Yeah he white

Edit: Suspect is dead.
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-working-officer-involved-shooting-along-n-ih-35/269-530544047

Also

lol. this is ridiculous

go from dropping off bombs in places where you know there's not even a home security camera that can ID you but go to a store with 6 cameras, full staff, on the spot package inspections, digital and paper receipts, etc

only one guy. totally dead. blew himself up. mission accomplished.

America's going well.