Suspicious packages believed to be explosive devices were sent to numerous places Wednesday, including the homes of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, and the Time Warner Center in New York City.
The U.S. Secret Service announced it had “intercepted” two suspicious packages identified as “potential explosive devices” sent to the Obamas’ home in Washington, D.C., and the Clinton household in New York, Fox News reported.
Here at the home of Bill and Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, New York. Secret Service is saying a single package of a possible explosive addressed to Hillary was intercepted last night. Another intercepted package to B. Obama and Time Warner Center NY. pic.twitter.com/VcHNMoQCTa
— Jean Casarez (@JeanCasarezCNN) October 24, 2018
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” a statement from the federal agency read. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
As for the package delivered to the Time Warner Center, home of CNN’s New York headquarters, alarms inside the building went off not long after 10 a.m., when anchors Jim Sciutto and Poppy Harlow were live on-air.
https://twitter.com/KFILE/status/1055102161661636608
The package sent to CNN’s studio was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan. Brennan, however, doesn’t work for CNN; he is an MSNBC contributor.
The package with an explosive device sent to CNN’s NY offices was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, CNN has learned. Brennan doesn't work for CNN. He's a contributor for MSNBC.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 24, 2018
CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a statement, “The NYPD is currently in the building accessing the situation. I can confirm that we have checked all of our bureaus worldwide, and have found no other devices at this time.”
“I promise to keep you updated on a regular basis with any new information,” he added. “Please do your best to remain calm and patient. As I mentioned earlier, if you would feel more comfortable leaving the area, please do. If you do, please keep up communications with your colleagues.”
https://twitter.com/KFILE/status/1055112211469885440
People have not yet been allowed back into the Time Warner Center and residents around the area have been notified to “shelter in place immediately.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders condemned the widespread terroristic behavior in a statement released Wednesday morning.
“These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she said, in part. “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.”
This is a developing story.