The family of the Austin bomber says they are “devastated and broken at the news” that 23-year-old Mark Conditt was the person behind the attacks. 

“We had no idea of the darkness that Mark must have been in,” says Conditt’s aunt Shanee of Colorado. “Our family is a normal family in every way. We love, we pray, and we try to inspire and serve others.

CNN reports Shanee has been in touch with the Conditt family in Pflugerville, who she says is also devastated. “Our family is very loving and kind family. This is just so overwhelmingly devastating,” she said.

Shanee last saw the 23-year-old over Christmas and said everything seemed normal and “wonderful.” 

“Right now our prayers are for those families that have lost loved ones, for those impacted in any way, and for the soul of our Mark. We are grieving and we are in shock. Please respect our privacy as we deal with this terrible, terrible knowledge and try to support each other through this time.”

People Who Knew the Bomber’s Family

Jeff Reeb says when he heard the news of Mark Conditt this morning, he didn’t want to believe it.

“I was, number one, hoping they were wrong,” Reeb said. “Number two, quite surprised. I’m not sure I still believe it.”

Reeb said Conditt played with his grandsons when they were younger.

“[I’m in] complete shock,” he said. “And the only thing I can say about the whole thing is he and his family are normal as I’ve seen anybody.”

For most of Wednesday morning, federal agents and Austin police searched the home that belongs to Conditt’s parents, which is next door to Reeb’s house in the 600 block of East Pfluger Street in Pflugerville.

An ATF K-9 trained to detect explosives, firearms, shell casings and post-blasts, also went through the home, but investigators said the dog didn’t find anything suspicious inside.

A detective with the Austin Police Department said Conditt’s family members have been very cooperative during this ongoing investigation and “wanted to express their condolences to the families of those that have been affected.”

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