Politics
Powder-filled envelope leads to evacuation of Arizona Capitol tower
Arizona officials evacuated the State Capitol’s Executive Tower after a clerk in Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ office opened an envelope containing white powder. No injuries were reported as state and federal investigators assessed the incident.
PHOENIX — Arizona authorities evacuated the Executive Tower at the State Capitol on Thursday afternoon after a clerk in Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ office opened an envelope filled with white powder, Fontes said.
The Arizona Department of State contacted law enforcement and hazardous-materials crews, isolated the powder and anyone who may have been exposed, evacuated other employees and closed off the floor, according to Fontes. The Department of Public Safety reported no injuries.
The state Department of Public Safety’s Hazardous Materials Response Team and the FBI were at the scene investigating. Officials had not identified the powder in information released Thursday, and Fontes described the incident as a “targeted threat.”
The Executive Tower houses the governor’s office, the offices of the secretary of state and state treasurer, and other state agencies, boards and commissions. Gov. Katie Hobbs was not in the building during the incident. Her office thanked first responders for their rapid response.
Fontes connected the incident to concerns about election administration as the election approaches. He said his staff acted quickly and were following guidance from law enforcement and hazardous-materials specialists to protect employees and visitors.
“We will not be scared out of doing our jobs on behalf of the voters of Arizona,” Fontes said, adding that his office expects threats to continue and is on high alert.