Chance the Rapper on Austin Bombings: ‘Someone Is Serial Murdering Black and Latino Men and Women’

In wake of the serial bombings that have left Austin residents shaken, Chance the Rapper is urging the public to hold its elected officials accountable.

His statements were made Tuesday morning, just hours after a package destined for the Texas capital exploded in a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio. It marked the fifth explosion to hit the area within the last three weeks.

“Someone is serial murdering Black and Latino men and women in Texas right now. One of them was just a boy,” he tweeted. “Hold your leaders accountable. Even if you aren’t from Texas, your elected officials should be talking about this. #AustinBombings.”

Though investigators have said that the recent bombings appear to be related, they have yet to identify a suspect or a motive. Many people, like Chance, are convinced the assailant is targeting racial minorities, as the first three bombs were placed in predominately black and Latino neighborhoods. However, a Sunday night explosion in an Austin residential area has led some to believe the attacks are random.

The first three bombs were left on the front porches of individuals, all of whom were either black or Latino. But rather than targeting a specific individual or home, the explosion on Sunday was reportedly triggered by a tripwire placed alongside a fence. And the fact that the two victims were white men has raised more questions about whether or not the attacks are racially motivated.

“We believe that the recent explosive incidents that have occurred in the city of Austin were meant to send a message,” Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said Sunday, according to CNN. “The person or persons understands what that message is and are responsible for constructing or delivering the devices and we hope this person or persons is watching and will reach out to us before anyone else is injured or anyone else is killed out of this event.”

Authorities are now offering a six-figure reward to anyone with information leading to an arrest in the attacks.