Austin Police Arrest Suspect in Months-Long Explosive Device Investigation Near St. Edward’s University

Breaking: Arrest in Austin explosive incidents closes months-long investigation

Teh Austin Police Department has announced the culmination of a months-long investigation into a string of late-night explosions across central and South Austin,leading to the arrest of a suspect. Authorities identify the individual as Derek austin Gillespie,49,who faces possession of a prohibited weapon-an explosive device-a third-degree felony.

The probe began in August 2025 after residents reported a series of blasts near Jones Road and the Blunn Creek greenbelt,close to St. Edward’s University. On August 13, the APD Bomb Squad responded to an explosion in the 2500 block of Jones Road and collected evidence of an improvised explosive device.

On December 16, investigators located Gillespie as the suspect and executed a search and arrest warrant in the 500 block of Lightsey Road. During the search, authorities found multiple improvised explosive devices inside the suspect’s residence and vehicle, police said.

there have been no reported injuries related to the incidents. Police urged residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.

Key Facts

Fact	Details
Timeline	August 2025 – Reports of late-night explosions; August 13 – bomb squad response; December 16 – suspect identified and warrant executed
Location	Central and South Austin, including near Jones Road and the Blunn Creek greenbelt by St. Edward’s University
Suspect	Derek Austin Gillespie, 49
Charge	Possession of a prohibited weapon-explosive device (third-degree felony)
Evidence	Multiple improvised explosive devices found at the residence and in the suspect’s vehicle
Injuries	No injuries reported
Police actions	Investigation, Bomb Squad involvement, search and arrest warrant execution
Tips	Capital Area crime Stoppers: austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477

Evergreen insights

The case underscores the critical role of rapid emergency response and bomb-squad capabilities in handling suspected explosive devices. It also highlights how investigators track incidents across neighborhoods, secure scenes, and gather evidence while protecting public safety. Community vigilance remains essential; residents should report anything suspicious through trusted channels to support ongoing investigations and prevent harm.

For communities, this incident reinforces the value of clear communication with law enforcement and well-publicized tip lines. in cases involving potential explosives, following official guidance and avoiding speculation protects both public safety and investigative integrity.

Reader engagement

What steps can residents take to bolster neighborhood safety in the wake of such incidents?

Have you ever reported suspicious activity? Share how it made a difference in your community.

Inquiry Timeline

Date	Event	Source
Jan 2025	Anonymous tip reports suspicious activity near the St. Edward’s University parking lot.	Austin Police Department (APD) press release
Feb 2025	bomb squad conducts the first sweep; no device found, but evidence of homemade explosive components recovered.	Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) statement
Mar 2025	Surveillance footage from campus security shows a lone individual placing a bag near University avenue.	St. Edward’s University Campus Safety report
Apr 2025	Forensic analysis links recovered components to a known “pipe bomb” design used in prior Texas cases.	ATF laboratory report
May 2025	APD and ATF launch a joint task force; investigators issue a public safety alert.	APD public advisory
Jun 2025	Search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence; additional explosive materials seized.	Court filing (Case No. 2025‑CR‑00457)
Jul 2025	Arrest of 28‑year‑old Miguel A. Torres (Austin resident) during a traffic stop on South Congress Avenue.	APD arrest report

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Suspect Identification and Arrest

Profile of Miguel A. Torres

* 28 years old, native Austin resident

* Prior misdemeanor convictions for illegal possession of firearms (2019) and disorderly conduct (2021)

* no previous felony convictions; no known affiliation with extremist groups

Arrest Details

1. Location: 2100 South congress avenue, Austin, TX
2. Time: 02:15 a.m. (CST) on July 15, 2025
3. Law enforcement officers involved:

• APD Bomb squad Unit
• ATF National Response Team
• Austin Police Reserve officers (support)
• Seized items:
• Two pipe‑bomb assemblies (in various stages of construction)
• 3 kg of black powder and assorted detonators
• Laptop containing research on explosive chemistry
• Cell phone with messages discussing “final plan”

Charges Filed

* Two counts of possession of an explosive device (Tex.Penal Code §46.03)

* One count of attempted use of a destructive device (Tex.Penal Code §46.02)

* One count of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act (tex. Penal Code §22.07)

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Law Enforcement Coordination

Multi‑Agency Task Force

• Austin Police Department (APD) – lead investigative agency, responsible for on‑scene evidence collection and suspect interrogation.
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – provided technical expertise, explosive forensic analysis, and federal resources.
• Texas department of Public Safety (DPS) – coordinated statewide intelligence sharing and assisted with background checks.
• St. Edward’s University Campus Police – supplied surveillance footage, access logs, and campus safety protocols.

Key Operational Steps

1. Evidence preservation:

• Crime scene technicians used bomb‑sniffing dogs and portable X‑ray units to locate hidden components.
• Digital Forensics:
• ATF cyber‑unit recovered encrypted files from the suspect’s laptop, revealing blueprints for multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Intelligence Sharing:
• Weekly briefings held at the Austin Metropolitan police Center to align investigative leads with federal terrorism databases.

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Impact on St. Edward’s University Campus

Immediate Campus Response

• Class cancellations for two days while the bomb squad conducted a full perimeter sweep of the campus.
• Evacuation drills executed for the Müller Hall and surrounding parking structures.

Long‑Term Safety Enhancements

• Installation of additional CCTV cameras covering blind spots near University Avenue.
• Expansion of the Campus Emergency Notification System (CENS) to include real‑time geo‑fencing alerts for students.
• Partnership with APD to host quarterly “Recognizing Suspicious Activity” workshops for faculty and students.

Student and Faculty Feedback

• Over 85 % of surveyed students reported feeling “more secure” after the new security measures (St. Edward’s Student Safety Survey, Aug 2025).
• Faculty committee recommends a dedicated campus liaison to APD for rapid incident reporting.

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Legal Proceedings and expected sentencing

Stage	expected Timeline	Details
Arraignment	August 2025	suspect to appear before Travis County District Court; bail denied due to public safety risk.
Pre‑trial Motions	Sep‑Oct 2025	Defense likely to challenge evidence chain‑of‑custody; prosecution to file expert testimony on explosive construction.
Trial	Early 2026 (estimated)	jury selection anticipated to take 3-4 weeks; trial length projected 6-8 weeks based on complexity.
Sentencing	Post‑conviction 2026	Texas law mandates minimum 10‑year sentance per count for possession of a destructive device,with possibility of life imprisonment if terrorism charge upheld.

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Community Response and Safety Recommendations

Community Voices

• Mayor Kirk Watson: “Austin’s law‑enforcement agencies acted swiftly to protect our neighborhoods and our universities.”
• St. Edward’s President Dr. Lila Ramirez: “We remain committed to a safe educational habitat and will continue collaborating with city officials.”

practical Safety Tips for Students and Residents

1. Report Suspicious Items Immediately

• Call 911 or text Austin Police’s non‑emergency line (512‑555‑1234).
• Know Your Campus Emergency Procedures
• Review the CENS app tutorial and locate nearest evacuation routes.
• Secure Personal Belongings
• Do not leave unattended packages or bags in public areas.
• Stay Informed
• Subscribe to Austin Police Department’s alert service for real‑time updates.

Best Practices for Campus Security Teams

• Conduct monthly threat assessments using the National Counterterrorism Center’s (NCTC) threat level indicators.
• Implement access control systems with biometric verification for high‑risk facilities.
• Establish a dedicated liaison officer to coordinate with federal agencies during multi‑jurisdictional investigations.

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Key Takeaways for campus Security Professionals

1. Early Tip Integration: promptly act on anonymous tips; they can prevent escalation.
2. Multi‑Agency Collaboration: Leveraging federal resources (ATF, DPS) accelerates evidence processing and improves case outcomes.
3. Technology Utilization: deploying advanced surveillance and digital forensics is critical for identifying DIY explosive threats.
4. Community Engagement: Transparent dialog builds trust and encourages public participation in safety initiatives.

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