"Suspicious package" explosions in Austin, Texasleft one person dead earlier this month.
According to CNN, the deceased victim has now been identified by local law enforcement. The 17-year-old victim's name was Draylen Mason. Mason died when he opened the explosive package inside the kitchen of his Windsor Park home on Monday. A viral Facebook post remembers Mason as a gifted musician, who performed upright bass in several orchestras. His mother, who is currently in stable condition, survived the traumatic explosion.
A memorial fund has since been created on YouCaring.
There have been multiple incidents involving package bombings—that were not delivered by a mail service—in the Austin area. On Monday, investigators concluded this bombing was connected to a similar incident in March where a package bomb killed 29-year-old Anthony Stephan House, according to CBS New York.
@deray My friend was the 1st victim of #AustinBombings. Media is sharing a DL pic that (bc of his skin color) ppl assume is a mugshot. Anthony Stephan House was a good man. Will you help amplify these pics that show WHO HE WAS? Shared by & credited to his bro Norrell Waynewood pic.twitter.com/wuFSApTYCL
Since Mason is black, there have been speculations the incident was a racially motivated hate crime. News One reports that there are 27 possible hate groups, including several branches of the Klu Klux Klan, who could have targeted Mason because of his race. Additionally, the outlet mentions that the victims of all three bombings were either black or Latinx.
Meanwhile, police have not identified and considered these incidents as hate crimes.
As a result, Austin residents—especially those of color—are now anxious over something as mundane as receiving packages on their doorstep.
