The Secret Service on Wednesday said it had intercepted potential explosive devices sent in the mail to former first lady Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, CNN reports that a similar package was sent to the White House. CNN’s New York bureau was evacauted Wednesday morning as police investigated another pacakage sent to the Time Warner Center.
Two law enforcement officials told the New York Times on Wednesday that the two devices sent to Clinton and Obama were similar to the one that was discovered on Monday at billionaire Democratic donor George Soros’ home in Bedford, New York.
Bedford is less than 10 miles away from Chappaqua, New York, where Bill and Hillary Clinton have their main residence. The Secret Service said in a statement that the package sent to the Clintons was addressed to Hillary and it was recovered late Tuesday night in Westchester County, New York. The statement did not specify whether the package was intercepted at the Clinton home or at an off-site sorting facility.
The second package, addressed to former President Obama’s residence in Washington, DC, was intercepted early Wednesday morning.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them,” the Secret Service said.
The statement added: “The Secret Service has initiated a full scope criminal investigation that will leverage all available federal, state, and local resources to determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible.”
CNN reported that a pipe bomb addressed to the WHite House was also intercepted.
White House Press Sec. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the bomb plantings “despicable” in a statement Wednesday morning.
“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures. These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be help accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards,” Sanders said.
The FBI’s New York office also tweeted Wednesday morning about the package sent to the Clintons’ home.
“We are aware of a suspicious package found in the vicinity of the Clinton residence in Chappaqua, NY, and our JTTF has engaged with our federal, state and local partners to investigate. As this is an on-going investigation, we will have no further comment at this time,” the agency said.
It’s unclear whether the incidents are connected. The device that was sent to Soros’ home on Monday was made out of a six-inch pipe that was filled with an explosive powder. It was safely detonated by bomb squad technicians.
No one has claimed responsibility for any of the devices.
This is a developing story.
from Viral Trendy Update https://ift.tt/2O2UNEA
via IFTTT
0 Comments