Cops Find 'Confession' From Austin Bombing Suspect

25-minute cellphone recording found with Mark Conditt
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 21, 2018 7:25 PM CDT
Bombing Suspect Left Taped 'Confession'
Authorities surround the home of Austin bombing suspect Mark Conditt in Pflugerville, Texas, Wednesday, March 21, 2018.   (Jay Janner /Austin American-Statesman via AP)

Police have discovered a 25-minute recording on a cellphone found with bombing suspect Mark Conditt, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley says he considers it a "confession," the AP reports. He said at a news conference Wednesday that Conditt talks on the recording in great detail about the differences among the bombs he built. Manley says the tape is "the outcry of a very challenged young man." Officials say the 23-year-old Conditt blew himself up in his vehicle overnight as authorities closed in on him. An official with the ATF says the agency is reasonably certain there are no other devices "out in the public," but he urges caution. FBI agent Chris Combs echoed that sentiment, saying "we think we're on top of this, but we just don't know." On Twitter, Austin police asked the public to "remain vigilant."

A FedEx executive says the company provided key evidence that helped identify the suspect in the bombings around Austin. COO David Bronczek said in a note to employees that FedEx was able to give the information to law enforcement "because of our advanced security capabilities and the vigilance of our team members." Bronczek did not describe the information that FedEx provided, and company representatives declined to comment further. But Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House Homeland Security Committee, said the suspect's "fatal mistake" was mailing a package from a FedEx store because it gave authorities surveillance video that showed him and his vehicle, including the license plate number.

(More Austin stories.)

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