People are saying the news isn’t covering the Austin bombings. That’s not true.
A series of bombings in the Austin area over the past week has left two people dead and four injured. Some high-profile Twitter users have claimed that there’s been no news coverage of the bombings, focusing their ire on “mainstream” or national outlets in some cases.
A 4th bomb just went off in Austin — this story is getting NO COVERAGE.
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) March 19, 2018
March 2
March 12
March 12
March 18
The targets appear to be prominent black families.
Since the mainstream media doesn't seem to care, I've tracked down information on the first package bomb victim in Austin, Texas.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) March 14, 2018
His name is #AnthonyStephanHouse.
A married father w/ an 8 year old daughter. President of the homeowner's association. Blown to bits. pic.twitter.com/v6MOMtBDCM
The bombings in Austin are already 2/3 as deadly as Boston marathon bombings, and all victims have been people of color. Where’s the 24/7 coverage and relentless manhunt? https://t.co/XHgzauZjxm
— Alex Blagg (@alexblagg) March 19, 2018
There have been four bombings in Austin targeting minorities this month.
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) March 19, 2018
If it was suspected the perpetrator was Muslim, there'd already be a ban.
If it was suspected the perpetrator was Latino, there'd already be a wall.
As it is, it's barely making news outside of Austin.
Messages that criticize a supposed lack of media coverage have been posted on social media as recently as Monday. In some cases, the critics have thousands of followers; Shaun King, a columnist for the Intercept and prominent activist on social media, has almost a million Twitter followers.
Local Austin news organizations, including the American-Statesman, reported about the first explosion, which killed Anthony Stephan House, the morning it happened on March 2. At the time, officials believed the blast was an isolated incident.
Here’s a timeline of key Statesman stories covering the bombings since March 2:
- March 2: Man injured in explosion in Northeast Austin has died, police say
- March 12: Deadly Austin bombings likely related, police say, urging caution with packages
- March 12: Stepfather of man who died in package explosion knew grandfather of another bombing victim, report says
- March 13: Bomb victim Draylen Mason, 17, remembered as bright, talented musician
- March 14: Police question Austin woman they think may have been bombing target
- March 16: More than 600 suspicious packages reported since Monday, Austin police say
- March 18: Officials increase reward to $115,000 for info on bombings
- March 18: Fourth explosion this month injures two; this time in Southwest Austin
- March 19: Police hope home security video yields clues in bombing, chief says
National news outlets started taking notice March 12, when two more explosions occurred in Austin, killing Draylen Mason and injuring two others. That afternoon, police said the cases were linked and urged residents to provide information. At that point, the three explosions had all occurred east of Interstate 35. Outlets like the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, the Washington Post and more have picked up the story.
The police response to the bombings has been scrutinized in both local and national articles. The Washington Post also reported on the department's initial theory that the first blast was connected to a police raid earlier that week.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the explosions have targeted people of color.
The Huffington Post published an opinion article on March 16 examining how race played a factor in the bombing explosion investigations.
On Sunday afternoon, law enforcement officials announced the reward for information leading to an arrest of anyone responsible for the bombings had increased to $115,000. Hours later, another explosion injured two men in Southwest Austin. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said the victims are both "Anglo males" in their 20s. Authorities confirmed a trip wire was used in the fourth bomb attack.
Following the most recent explosion Sunday, a wide variety of media outlets — from TV stations to newspapers to online publications — have shared their coverage on social media.
Austin was struck by a fourth explosion just hours after a televised appeal to the bomber https://t.co/4v1JYlYVts pic.twitter.com/JyCFz78CLb
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 19, 2018
An explosion in Austin that injured two men Sunday night could have been triggered by a tripwire, police say. It marks the fourth blast in the Texas city in little over two weeks https://t.co/GWKUsdzvCW https://t.co/9BpDR8GGq0
— CNN (@CNN) March 19, 2018
Police in Texas are investigation another explosion in Austin. The explosion injured two men in their 20s. Investigators say it's possible yesterday's explosion was triggered by tripwire. It was the fourth explosion in Austin this month https://t.co/27z7RwRVnQ pic.twitter.com/vcUdwz2bVM
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 19, 2018
Fourth Austin package explosion this month possibly detonated by tripwire, leaving 2 injured, police say https://t.co/ebXz1O5Xx4
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 19, 2018
Austin's police chief called for an "extra level of vigilance" after two people were injured by the fourth explosion to hit the city in a month https://t.co/5s2SEy22y5 pic.twitter.com/Y7wLzdvUlA
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 19, 2018
Austin on edge after fourth explosion leaves 2 injured; cause of blast unclear https://t.co/4vVnKUIR3S pic.twitter.com/FBLwxlS04X
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 19, 2018
Police suspect 'serial bomber' in deadly Austin attacks https://t.co/XMfe4ieHAw
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 19, 2018
BREAKING: Austin police believe they are dealing with a “serial bomber” https://t.co/KuhuiEQHny
— VICE News (@vicenews) March 19, 2018
An explosion in Austin, Texas, injured 2 men last night.
— ABC News (@ABC) March 19, 2018
"It is very possible that this device was activated by someone handling or triggering a trip wire," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said. https://t.co/yx3GI2u2iD pic.twitter.com/zkvd6YJUC3
The fourth package explosion in Austin was possibly triggered by a tripwire, raising concerns from officials about the suspect or suspects’ “level of skill” https://t.co/1JFvszHBUW
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 19, 2018
La cuarta explosión en un mes sacudió la capital de Texas, hiriendo a dos
— Noticias Telemundo (@TelemundoNews) March 19, 2018
hombreshttps://t.co/sy8yvFbdAK pic.twitter.com/c85dpTwFc1
Estalla un cuarto paquete sospechoso en Austin, Texas, en menos de dos semanas. Informa @MariaEPayan pic.twitter.com/pTp7oBTChn
— Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) March 19, 2018
BREAKING: Latest explosion in Austin, Texas, caused by tripwire and showed "different level of skill," police chief says on "Good Morning America."
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2018
The victims of Sunday’s explosion have not yet been identified, but its location likely means that the attacker—or attackers—have expanded their reach https://t.co/95RgaWQHqD
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) March 19, 2018
The Statesman has created a complete coverage list to read, see and watch the latest stories, photo galleries and videos about the explosions in Austin.
You can also follow the American-Statesman on Twitter and Facebook for more updates.
