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Hazmat investigates white powder found at U.S. Courthouse

Ashley Hirtzel
/
WBFO

First responders were called to the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse in downtown Buffalo Wednesday to investigate a suspicious envelope with a white powdery substance inside. The Buffalo Fire Department responded to the scene in hazmat suits around 12:30 p.m.

The building was not evacuated during the investigation. The package was discovered by an employee in the courthouse mailroom.

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield says it’s unclear what was inside the package, but it has been removed from the building and is being analyzed by the FBI.

Credit Ashley Hirtzel / WBFO
/
WBFO
Fire crews were on scene at Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse

“We don’t know what it is at this point. It was reported as a suspicious package so we take that very, very seriously. We don’t believe right now that there is a high risk involved, but we have to take all of these calls seriously and that’s what we’re doing,” said Whitfield.

Whitfield says the employee who found the package is not believed to be in any danger, but is being examined as a precautionary measure.

“The FBI is very good at finding suspects and following up on leads. We trust that they will give it their due diligence and get to the bottom of this,” said Whitfield.