It was 2am on March 21, 2018, when Mark Anthony Conditt, 23, was alerted to pull over for a police vehicle. When he did not heed authorities, driving tactics were used to stop the car. SWAT was on the scene and as they closed in, Mark detonated two explosives, killing himself and injuring one officer. After 5 explosions, 2 deaths, and 5 injured persons, the bombings that had been terrorizing communities throughout Austin, Texas, had come to an end.
The first incident occurred on March 2, 2018. The bomb was in a package and left on a residential doorstep. It detonated when the package was opened, killing Anthony Stephan House, 39; father, husband, and volunteer mentor to young athletes. Initially police thought it an isolated incident and treated it as a suspicious homicide. Ten days later on March 12, two more bombs detonated with a second casualty: Draylen Mason, 17, a prestigious musician and academic achiever. In another part of town later that day a third explosive went off, fortunately with no deaths. It was clear that a serial bomber was at work. There was concern in the community that the attacks were racially motivated - thus far all bombings had taken place in low income, minority heavy neighborhoods. Police urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious packages. Between March 12th and March 20th, 1,200 calls were received.
On March 18, another bomb went off in a public park, uncomfortably close to a playground. The bomb was activated by two bicyclists riding over a tripwire. Both riders sustained serious injuries. Police began to realize they were dealing with someone more skilled than originally thought. The last two bombs before Conditt’s capture detonated on March 20th, both at FedEx ground facilities. One exploded in Schertz, Texas, and injured a FedEx employee, although it was intended for an address in Austin. The second was successfully deactivated in South East Austin. Records confirmed both packages were sent from the same FedEx store in nearby Sunset Valley. Security camera records showed Conditt’s vehicle at the location. The cameras also captured Conditt himself, dressed in disguise.
Conditt caught the attention of investigators when they reviewed suspicious purchases from hardware stores in the area. Conditt bought a large amount of nails and other objects often used in homemade bombs. His cellphone records were used to confirm his presence at all incident locations and police found multiple bomb parts in Conditt’s home, which he shared with two roommates.
Conditt’s cellphone contained a confession. In the 25 minute video Conditt expresses no motivation for the attacks or remorse for his actions.
