Austin authorities hunt ‘serial bomber’ after tripwire sets off 4th blast

Crime Scene vehicles and local law enforcement work the scene of a bombing on March 19, 2018, near the 4800 block of Dawn Song Drive in Austin, Texas.
Police and bomb experts are investigating a fourth mysterious bombing this month in the Texas state capital of Austin, a blast that injured two young men in their twenties. The explosion came just hours after police made a direct public appeal to the person or persons who carried out the previous bombings to come forward. So far, they have claimed the lives of two people and injured four others. / AFP PHOTO / SUZANNE CORDEIRO (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)

The fourth explosion in less than three weeks in Austin, Texas, appears to be the work of a serial bomber, officials said Monday.

An explosion Sunday night had “similarities” with the three bombs that detonated in the Texas capital earlier this month, according to police. The devices, authorities warn, appear to be getting more sophisticated. The FBI has sent 350 special agents to Austin as well as extra bomb squads. Authorities have been calling on the person or people behind this month’s string of bombings to let them know the reasons for the attacks.

Meanwhile, they are asking residents of one neighborhood to stay indoors until 2 p.m. local time (12 p.m. PT) Monday.

Guests:

Claire McInerny, reporter who is covering the story from the scene for KUT News, NPR affiliate in Austin; she tweets

Tweets by ClaireMcInerny

Hal Kempfer, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and CEO of KIPP knowledge and intelligence program professionals; he worked with the Austin Police Department in developing their threat reference guide