Authorities searching for links in series of Austin package bombings NAACP leader says two of the families were acquainted

Authorities investigate the scene in East Austin after a teenager was killed and a woman was injured in the second Austin package explosion in the past two weeks on Monday, March 12, 2018. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman/TNS) less Authorities investigate the scene in East Austin after a teenager was killed and a woman was injured in the second Austin package explosion in the past two weeks on Monday, March 12, 2018. (Ricardo B. ... more Photo: RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL, MBR / TNS Photo: RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL, MBR / TNS Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Authorities searching for links in series of Austin package bombings 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Law enforcement officials say they are searching for a motive to determine what links a trio of mysterious bombings in the state's capitol city together, saying Tuesday they are not ruling out race or terrorism as a motivating factor as they continue investigating tips that relatives of two of the victims knew each other and are well-known in Austin's African-American community.

Local authorities Tuesday also increased the reward being offered to $65,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, more than quadrupling the reward originally set by state officials Monday.

"We're not saying that we believe terrorism or hate is in play, but we absolutely have to consider that because we don't want to limit what we are investigating, what we are considering and how we are approaching this case," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said. Two of the victims are black and one is Latino.

MORE: Package bomb explosions in Austin could be racially motivated, police said

According to the president of Austin's NAACP, Nelson Linder, who knows relatives of two of the victims, said the reward for information should be higher.

"We're talking about human life here," he said.

The three bombings happened in a span of 10 days, killing two people and seriously injuring two others. Two of those bombings happened Monday, killing 17-year-old Draylen Mason who opened up the package inside the house, according to police. His mother, who was with him, is in stable condition. A 75-year-old woman who picked up a similar package left on her doorstep in another neighborhood the same morning is is critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

The first bombing happened on March 2, killing Anthony House when he picked up a similar package, according to police. Investigators then had theorized that the package was meant as retribution and was delivered to the wrong address, Manley said. Police raided a house down the street earlier that week, taking a large sum of money from a drug stash house that was a similar color and had a similar car.

In all three cases, an unexpected package was left on doorsteps over night, police say. In two of those cases, a bomb detonated when the package was picked up. In a third, the bomb went off once the package was in the house. Authorities say the bombs all had similarities to link them together, but declined to go into further detail.

The families affected by the first two bombings were not prominent in terms of holding political office, but are known through their activism in the community, Linder said.

The teen's grandfather is Norman Mason, a well-known dentist who is now retired. According to Linder, Mason is friends with Freddie Dixon, a retired United Methodist minister who is considered the "father of the Austin Area Urban League," according to the University of Texas where he works in community engagement.

Business records indicate that Dixon was a leader of Austin's African American Cultural Heritage District, or "Six Square," which the city defines as six square miles of east Austin that was originally created as the "Negro District" by the Austin City Council in 1928. He also was a longtime pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church, one of the city's oldest historically black churches, The Associated Press reported.

Dixon was quoted by the Austin American-Statesman in 2015 lamenting how Austin's population growth and prosperity were effectively creating economic segregation by raising the cost of living.

"Austin is quickly becoming a city of the privileged and the non-privileged," Dixon told the newspaper. "Is that the kind of Austin we want?"

Linder was unsure how the 75-year-old woman could be linked to the prior bombings, but said there are too many coincidences for him and he could not rule out racial motivations.

"Racial tensions is definitely a concern," Linder said. "We're telling our community there appears to be a pattern here."

Manley, the Austin Police chief, said the city is offering a $50,000 tip for information leading to an arrest in the case. That reward is on top a $15,000 reward Gov. Greg Abbott offered on Tuesday. Anyone with tips is encouraged to call 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).

South by Southwest

The bombing happened as hundreds of thousands of people descended upon Austin for the annual South by Southwest conference and festival, bringing together various industries like tech, music and film in a 10-day line-up of panel discussions, concerts and film screenings.

Officials with the program say safety is always a top priority for SXSW and officials continue to work with law enforcement and their venues to address the safety of attendees.

"At this time the Austin Police Department does not believe that the incidents are connected to the event. The substantial security operation already in place for SXSW has been instructed to be extra vigilant," SXSW released in a statement Tuesday.

Many conference-goers had heard about the bombings, but few said it would change how they approach the festival which last year attracted some 422,000 people to official events.

"These days, I'm paranoid," said Donlyn Turnbull, a 49-year-old video producer from Austin while sitting in a side section waiting to see a panel discussion between the cast of hit TV show, "This Is Us." She generally keeps track of the exits at big events, pays attention to people around her and tries to stay out of the crowd. But she's not too worried about the bombs. "I can't worry about it... It sounds kind of personal."

Across the street near a beer tent, digital strategist Fahd Lakhani from Houston said the bombing was too removed from the downtown area for him to be concerned about attending SXSW.

"It's certainly new for a city like Austin" to have these bomb threats, he said, noting he lived in the city for about a decade. "I think we're desensitized as a population."

Juliana Gouvea, 32, flew here from Brazil, a country known for high crime rates. Hearing about the explosions here is depressing, she said, but it's not going to scare her off from the festival.

"It's kind of normal to hear terrible news like that," she said.

Nimrod Kamer, a 35-year-old writer from East London, scoffed at the threat of package bombs, saying his real concern is with federal officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement who have stepped up deportations here.

"I'm more afraid of ICE than finding these house bombs," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Andrea Zelinski covers breaking news and politics for the Houston Chronicle. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.