Explosives discovered and detonated near Wimberley, Texas

Authorities conducted controlled detonations on Thursday after discovering suspected military-type and homemade explosive materials on a property in the 2700 block of Fischer Store Road near Wimberley. The property was previously occupied by Robert Allen Chapman, a 40-year-old man whose body was found in Canyon Lake on August 30. The circumstances surrounding Chapman’s death remain under investigation by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple agencies participated in the response, including the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Austin Police Department Bomb Squad, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). To ensure safety, responders coordinated with a nearby property owner to use an open field for the transport and remediation of the materials.

During the operation, an erroneous shelter-in-place notification was sent to local residents. Officials clarified that the message was intended to warn neighbors of increased first responder presence and the possibility of hearing or feeling explosions, rather than an active threat. The Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office apologized for the confusion and stated an internal review will be conducted to prevent future notification errors.