FBI Statement On Package Bombs: ‘Similar In Appearance,’ In Manila Envelopes

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The FBI on Wednesday released a statement overviewing its investigation into a series of bombs and potential bombs sent to Democratic politicians, CNN’s New York office and George Soros, noting each of the packages were “similar in appearance.” (Read the full statement below.)

As part of the press release, the bureau released a photo of one of the packages containing a bomb, seen below. It appeared similar to a widely circulated photo of the package delivered to CNN Wednesday.

Read the FBI’s statement in full here, or below:

Between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida. The packages are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”

The packages are similar in appearance, as depicted in the below photograph, and contain potentially destructive devices.

Photograph of the exterior of one of the suspicious packages sent to multiple locations between October 22 and 24, 2018. The mailing address and return address have been edited out of the photo to protect privacy.

Exterior of one of the suspicious packages. Addresses have been removed to protect privacy.

The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior. The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ” [sic] in Florida. Packages identified to date were addressed to:

  • George Soros
  • Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
  • Former President Barack Obama
  • Former CIA Director John Brennan, care of CNN
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder

The package addressed to former Attorney General Holder did not reach its intended destination, but was rerouted to the return address in Florida.

The FBI will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners at the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as our state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and arrest the person or people responsible for sending these packages.

It is possible that additional packages were mailed to other locations. The FBI advises the public to remain vigilant and not touch, move or handle any suspicious or unknown packages.

If you have information about these packages, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. If you observe any suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement.

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Notable Replies

  1. Thank God nobody has been hurt.

    Yet.

  2. The magabomber was able to do this with regular mail stamps instead of priority mail. It’ll be harder to find them. 13 ounce limit may have contributed to the bombs’ failure, though I kind of think they were intended to scare instead of explode.

  3. The package addressed to former Attorney General Holder did not reach its intended destination, but was rerouted to the return address in Florida.

    1100 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480?

  4. Donald won’t believe this report as it’s from FBI.

  5. Is Ted Kaczynski doing some consulting for the GOP from his Supermax cell?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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