The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to a bomb hotshot call on Wednesday evening, August 9th, in the heart of Central Austin. At approximately 5:23 PM, officers were dispatched to the 900 block of E. 32nd St., specifically the St. David's Hospital parking garage, following reports of an explosion. The incident prompted the temporary closure of the garage as authorities worked to unravel the circumstances surrounding the blast.
Assistant Police Chief Jeff Greenwalt addressed the media during a briefing, shedding light on the initial response. According to Greenwalt, the 9-1-1 call was received at 5:23 p.m., reporting a car fire inside the visitor parking garage at St. David's Hospital located at 919 E. 32nd Street. Upon arrival, the Austin Fire Department (AFD) swiftly recognized that the situation was more complex than a typical car fire, indicating the presence of a suspicious element.
Further investigation revealed that the fire had been caused by some form of explosion. As per protocol, AFD requested the support of both the Austin Police's Bomb Squad and the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The collaborative efforts of these three agencies ensured the safety of the scene.
Remarkably, no injuries were reported, and the explosion did not result in any damage to the hospital building itself. Authorities were able to locate and identify an individual with a connection to the vehicle. The individual was promptly detained and is currently cooperating with investigators. Although the identity of the detained individual has not been disclosed, the police have indicated that they had a legitimate business reason for being at the hospital.
In light of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement officials are actively working to ascertain whether the explosion was a deliberate act or a result of an accidental occurrence. As they piece together the events leading up to the incident, local residents and commuters have been advised to expect delays in the vicinity of St. David's Hospital.
