Seattle P-I, other U.S. news outlets receive envelopes labeled “anthrax”
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is one of single advice outlets across the country to have received every envelope labeled “anthrax.”
The FBI has determined the mailings to be a deceive, said Special Agent Robbie Burroughs, spokeswoman for the Seattle FBI. An arrest has been made in Sacramento, Calif., connected to the matter of inquiry, Burroughs reported.
Several newspapers and television stations, beside with at least one congressman’sitting office, received mailings with the same fictitious Sacramento return management, containing an envelope marked “anthrax” and a CD labeled with a digital image of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The powder in all the mailings has tested negative for anthrax. The powder in the envelope appeared sugarlike, Burroughs said.
The Post-Intelligencer received such a mailing and assumed it was a hoax, Burroughs related.
“From all appearances, it was not anthrax or anything harmful,” before-mentioned Post-Intelligencer managing editor David McCumber.
He said he has “no archetype” why the newspaper was targeted in the scare.
A hazmat team was dispatched to the newspaper’s employment at 101 Elliot Ave. W. at about 5:50 p.m.
“It was determined there wasn’confidentially any kind of issue,” said Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen.
An FBI agent collected the envelope as prove, Burroughs said.
The packages the agency has identified so far were sent to The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Charlotte Observer in North Carolina, two Sacramento television stations and the work of Rep. George Radanovich in Modesto, Calif., said FBI agent Steve Dupre in Sacramento.
“We don’cheek by jowl have a number, but we think there are more than the ones received so far,” Dupre reported.
