Suspicious White Powder Found at Anchorage's Federal Courthouse

Many offices in the Federal Courthouse Building in Downtown Anchorage were evacuated after suspicious white powder was found in a envelope.

Tools

By KTVA CBS 11 News

Story Created: Sep 23, 2011 at 5:42 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2011 at 9:38 AM AKDT

An envelope with an unidentified white powder inside was found at the Federal Courthouse Building in downtown Anchorage early this afternoon, many offices evacuated the building.

According to Anchorage police and FBI, the letter was initially sent to the clerk's office. Once the clerk saw the envelop contained white powder the authorities were called.

Federal authorities are currently inspecting the envelope at the state lab, but field test results indicated it was negative for any toxins.

According to an FBI spokesperson, it's unknown what the letter said or to whom it was addressed.

Anchorage police first received a call about the suspicious envelope at about 3:15 this afternoon.

The Anchorage Fire Department and haz-mat teams responded.

Several clear plastic bags containing office equipment that came in contact with the white powder and envelope were secured.

The scene was cleared by 5:30pm.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.