White-powder envelope prompts evacuation of Arizona tower

Staff at the Arizona Department of State’s Phoenix office opened an envelope containing white powder on Oct. 15, prompting evacuation of the entire Executive Tower. The tower houses the Governor’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office.

The department said it called law enforcement and hazardous-materials responders, isolated the material and people exposed to it, evacuated other employees and shut off access to the affected floor. Gov. Katie Hobbs’ spokesperson told KJZZ that Hobbs was not in the building and no injuries were reported.

KJZZ reported the FBI was investigating; FOX 10 reported that the FBI and Arizona Department of Public Safety were conducting a joint investigation. The substance and sender had not been publicly identified.