'Act of terror': 7 Suspicious devices sent to politicians, ex-president, media

Washington, D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

October 24, 2018
Statement on the FBI’s Investigation of Suspicious Packages

Between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida. The packages are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”

The packages are similar in appearance, as depicted in the below photograph, and contain potentially destructive devices.

The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior. The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ” [sic] in Florida. Packages identified to date were addressed to:

George Soros
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former President Barack Obama
Former CIA Director John Brennan, care of CNN
Former Attorney General Eric Holder

The package addressed to former Attorney General Holder did not reach its intended destination, but was rerouted to the return address in Florida.

The FBI will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners at the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as our state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and arrest the person or people responsible for sending these packages.

It is possible that additional packages were mailed to other locations. The FBI advises the public to remain vigilant and not touch, move or handle any suspicious or unknown packages.

If you have information about these packages, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. If you observe any suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement.

'Act of terror': Suspicious devices sent to multiple politicians, ex-president and media
By CNN
7:20 AM, Oct 24, 2018

UPDATE (2 p.m. ET) : Another suspicious package was addressed to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, reports say.

Authorities have intercepted suspicious devices intended for former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and the Florida office of Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was evacuated Wednesday after a suspicious package was mailed there.

Also, CNN's New York bureau in the Time Warner Center was evacuated after a package with an explosive device, addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, was discovered, city and local law enforcement officials said.

"Potentially destructive devices" sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN prompt massive response
CBS News
October 24, 2018, 10:18 PM

A sprawling investigation unfolded Wednesday as authorities scrambled to respond to a series of suspicious packages. The Secret Service intercepted two packages that were addressed to former President Obama's home in Washington and Bill and Hillary Clinton's residence in Westchester County, New York.

Another package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan at the New York City offices of CNN, prompting CNN's bureau and the Time Warner Center to evacuate.

A package that was originally addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder didn't arrive at the address it was intended for and was rerouted to the return address on the label -- the Florida office of former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Crude but functional low-ordnance explosive devices found in at least two of the packages consisted of a pipe, wires and black powder, a law enforcement official told CBS News senior investigative producer Pat Milton.

At a "Make America Great Again" rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Wednesday night, President Trump said he will bring the suspect or suspects behind the recent string of suspicious packages to justice.

The Latest: NYPD: devices all similar crude pipe bombs
AP News
51 minutes ago