DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Workers at a state lab are testing a "reddish powder" found in a suspicious package that forced an evacuation at a congressman's office.
The DeKalb County office of U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson was evacuated Thursday morning because of a suspicious package investigation, authorities said.
Soucrces said the red substance was found in an envelope delivered to the congressman's office around 11:30 a.m.
Channel 2's Aaron Diamant learned an intern, who was wearing a mask and gloves, opened the envelope under a security hood in the mail room.
The building, with eight people inside, was evacuated around 1 p.m.
A DeKalb hazardous materials unit was summoned, and the Department of Homeland Security was alerted. The office is in the 5700 block of Hillandale Drive in Lithonia.
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Hazmat teams examined the powder and the person who opened the package.
"We don't know if it's real or if it's not, so we have to make sure we play it by the book," Eric Jackson with DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
The substance was transferred to a lab for tests.
Staffers received security training just last week on this same type of security situation.
Sources: @RepHankJohnson Lithonia office staff went through @DHSgov @USPS suspicious package training just last week. #wsbtv
— Aaron Diamant (@AaronDiamantWSB) March 31, 2016
Hank Johnson released a statement:
"I want to thank Homeland Security, the FBI, DeKalb Police, Fire Rescue and their Hazmat team for their rapid response and professionalism in handling this situation and keeping my staff safe. Fortunately, staff has been trained on how to handle suspicious packages and mail and proper protocols were followed in this case. While the substance in question has been contained, I look forward to the results of the pending investigation."
Cox Media Group
