First responders remember bombing victims
AUSTIN, Texas - On March 21, multiple law enforcement agencies came together to track down Mark Conditt, before he detonated a bomb in his car. “When the order was given, it didn't matter what color your uniform was, it didn't matter what patch was on your shoulder. When that order was given we stepped up,” said Jessica Robledo, Pflugerville Police Chief.
Thursday, the Greater Austin Crime Commission memorialized the victims, and honored the first responders who were involved. Chief Robledo relived all the chaos that unfolded in her own community. “I don't want our community, the one that I come to work every day, to be remembered by that evening. I want us to be remembered as how we came together,” said Robledo.
Seventeen-year-old Draylen Mason, and 39-year-old Anthony House lost their lives in the killing spree. Several others, seriously injured. “We lost two phenomenal people. They were incredible human beings. God must've really needed some angels for that to happen, that's the only thing that I can process,” said Robledo.
“We've got the Butler School of Music with a very accomplished orchestra, missing a voice. We've got the school in Northeast Austin where kids look anxiously out in the audience knowing their parents out there and they are giving a performance, singing, acting, whatever it is, and there's a parent missing. Those will be the things we will remember,” said Brian Manley, Austin Police Chief.
The emotions from those agonizing three weeks are still raw, but what the City of Austin and the region learned from this horrific event, was that a community is strongest when working together. “We saw the worst of our society in that bomber, but the best of our community,” said Spencer Cronk, Austin City Manager.
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