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The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings nationwide, reportedly including a suspicious letter with a “powdery substance” mailed to the District office in Kent of U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue.
Smith represents District 9, which includes Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Mercer Island, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, and parts of Seattle and Bellevue. His Kent office is at 6811 S. 204th St., Suite 360.
“Earlier today (Oct. 19), my district office received a suspicious letter containing a powdery substance, like others sent to Congressional offices across the country,” Smith said in a Oct. 19 news release. “My staff has been safely evacuated, and I thank the Kent Police Department and the Renton Fire Department for their quick action.”
When asked for details of the incident, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in an email they have been asked to direct media requests to the FBI and U.S Postal Inspection Service.
“The FBI is not confirming specific instances or letters, however, here is our general statement,” according to a Oct. 20 email from the FBI’s National Press Office:
“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices, and Congressional offices. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident.
“We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
Smith is running for reelection on the Nov. 3 ballot against Kent Republican challenger Doug Basler.
Hazmat units from both Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority and Renton Regional Fire Authority were dispatched at 2:45 p.m. Monday to a report of a suspicious package, according to a Oct. 20 email from Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak.
“Firefighters did a test of the exterior of the package and found an unknown substance and it was inconclusive as if it was a hazard,” Pawlak said. “The package was left as is.”
Pawlak said the U.S. Postal Service was notified, and the package was turned over to them.
The Washington secretary of state’s elections division received a similar letter containing a powdery substance Oct. 15, and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s Seattle office was evacuated Oct. 16 after reports of a suspicious package, according to The Seattle Times.
Several other lawmakers across the country in recent days have received suspicious letters, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic senators Chris Murphy, Kirsten Gillibrand and Lisa Blunt Rochester, according to previous ABC reporting.
ABC also previously reported that preliminary information suggests there are over 100 letters circulating in the US mail system that apparently contain white powder, according to law enforcement sources.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with information from Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak.
