Authorities at the Pentagon announced they had found at least two packages containing ricin, a type of chemical weapon, in a suspected terror attack. Just minutes prior, two people were reportedly been taken to the hospital after a “white powdery substance” was delivered to Senator Ted Cruz’s office in Texas.
According to Fox 8, the terror packages at the Pentagon were addressed to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations.
The packages were detected in the mail facility, a separate building, and were put through field testing where it was determined they contained ricin.
Pentagon spokesman Chris Sherwood said the FBI and the Pentagon Force Protection agency was in charge of leading the investigation. He said the packages had been found at a delivery screening facility that is on the Pentagon grounds but not inside the main building that includes the offices of the defense secretary.
Pentagon spokesperson Col. Rob Manning said in a statement,“On Tuesday, October, 2, 2018, in coordination with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, FBI Special Agents took possession of two suspicious envelopes that had been screened at the Pentagon mail facility. Those envelopes are currently undergoing further testing. As this is ongoing, we will have no further comment.”
Manning added that all U.S. Postal Service mail received at the screening facility on Monday is under quarantine and “poses no threat to Pentagon personnel.”
Ricin is part of the waste “mash” produced when castor oil is made. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if it is made into a partially purified material or refined, ricin can be used as a weapon capable of causing death.
The news of the packages at the Pentagon came on the heels of authorities discovering a white powdery substance in Cruz’s office. The entire 9th floor of the Phoenix Tower had to be evacuated and two people were taken to the hospital.
The local fire department arrived at the scene to investigate the substance further.
Republicans have repeatedly been the targets of assault, harassment, and attacks in recent days. On Tuesday, The Daily Caller reported that Maryland Rep. Andy Harris was reportedly assaulted by a mob inside of his own office at Capitol Hill.
Protesters allegedly pushed through Harris’ office door and assaulted the congressman.
So much for the tolerant left.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.