From the Tennessean: The FBI said Thursday the substance found in letters sent by mail to House Republican leaders was not a risk to public safety
From the Tennessean: The FBI said Thursday the substance found in letters sent by mail to House Republican leaders was not a risk to public safety.
Staff are now allowed to enter and leave Tennessee’s legislative office building, though the 6th floor is still closed down as authorities investigate a white powder substance received through the mail by some House Republicans.
Elizabeth Clement-Webb, a spokesperson with the FBI, said investigators have collected the letters and are working with emergency personnel to determine the substance.
“Additional testing will be needed to fully identify the unknown substance in the letters,” Clement-Webb said.
Clement-Webb said law enforcement is working together to determine how many letters were sent, the individual(s) responsible for the letters and the motive.
An internal Cordell Hull Building email sent around 11:30 a.m. advised the 6th floor was shut down “until further notice.” At 12:30 p.m., another email was sent with an alert stating “no one is allowed to leave or enter the Cordell Hull Building until further notice.”
Shortly before 2 p.m., staff were informed the building had been reopened, though the 6th floor remained closed.
No injuries were reported to Nashville authorities.
“I am aware of a possible issue involving the legislative offices of some members of House Republican leadership receiving in the mail a white powder substance,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton. “The sixth floor has been placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, and hazmat teams are on scene assessing the situation.”
In a statement, the House Republican Caucus said members received letters with politically motivated threats.
The 6th floor is home to many House legislative offices, including House leadership’s.
Metro Nashville Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol deferred additional questions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
