Austin bombing suspect dead after police standoff

Officials in Austin, Texas, say a suspected serial bomber is dead after a standoff with police overnight.

Officials said during a news conference early Wednesday that the unidentified 24-year-old man died after a device detonated in his vehicle. News outlets later identified the suspect as Mark Anthony Conditt.

“The suspect is deceased and has significant injuries from a blast that occurred from detonating a bomb inside his vehicle,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley told reporters at a news conference.

Several officers were injured, he added.

Authorities had tracked the suspect to a hotel in Round Rock, Texas, and officers surrounded his vehicle on the side of Interstate 35, where the standoff occurred.

Police remained on high alert for further suspicious packages Wednesday after the suspect’s death.

“This is the culmination of three very long weeks for our community,” Manley added. “We don’t know where the suspect has spent his last 24 hours, and therefore we still need to remain vigilant to ensure no other packages or devices have been left in the community.”

At least four explosions killed several people around Austin in recent weeks.

President Trump congratulated law enforcement on Twitter after the announcement, a statement that came just a day after the White House said the bombings were not terrorism-related.

“AUSTIN BOMBING SUSPECT IS DEAD. Great job by law enforcement and all concerned!” the president wrote on Twitter.

–This report was updated at 10:28 a.m.