The pair of explosions that left two people dead in Austin, Texas, over the last 10 days share similarities and authorities suspect they are connected, police said.
One occurred Monday morning and the other occurred March 2. In both instances, a resident retrieved packages that blew up when they were opened.
Both packages were not delivered via any mail services and both homes are those of African Americans. A 17-year-old male died on Monday and another male died from his injuries on March 2.
An adult female was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries from the Monday incident.
Both cases seen as homicides
Both cases are now being investigated as homicides, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said during a news conference Monday.
Police warned the public about handling packages they are not expecting.
“If you’ve received a package that has been left on your doorstep or left in your yard or left on your driveway that you were not expecting or that was not from someone you know, then give us a call,” Manley said.
Local police, as well as agencies including the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are working on the case.
