FBI investigates biohazard incident as courthouse reopens
GILLETTE (WNE) — The FBI is investigating a threat of bioterrorism made in a letter reported Tuesday by a Campbell County Attorney's Office employee, leading to the evacuation and closure of the Campbell County Courthouse, which reopened Wednesday.
Police Deputy Chief Brent Wasson said a county attorney’s office employee reported a suspicious letter that was received and contained a threat of bioterrorism. Officers responded, contained the scene and evacuated parts of the building.
Although the police report did not clarify whether the letter had a substance in it, the discovery of a substance at the courthouse led to the evacuation and closure of the building late Tuesday morning.
The courthouse has since reopened after the substance was deemed non-hazardous by the Wyoming National Guard Civil Support Team at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday.
The civil support team and Campbell County Fire Department workers made two entries into the building to sample and analyze the substance, according to a fire department press release.
The substance tested negative to biological and radiological hazards in initial readings and further tests confirmed the substance had no other chemical hazards “that may pose a threat to citizens and responders,” the press release said.
The courthouse closed Tuesday after 10 people were potentially exposed to the substance. One person directly exposed to the substance was taken to Campbell County Memorial Hospital, treated and released, said Leslie Perkins, Campbell County spokesperson, in a news release.
The others who may have been exposed were quarantined until the substance was identified by the Wyoming National Guard Civil Support Team at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday.
County Emergency Management Coordinator David King said Tuesday afternoon that the incident was being investigated as a potential terroristic threat.
The FBI has the active lead on the investigation, Wasson said Wednesday morning.
This story was published on May 1, 2024.