New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the suspicious packages sent to CNN and Hillary Clinton’s home address in New York an act of terror on Wednesday.
“This is clearly an act of terror, attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence,” Mr. de Blasio said at a press conference, “I want to make very clear that the people of New York City will not be intimidated.”
NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill explained that authorities discovered what appeared to be a “live explosive device” inside the Time Warner building.
Mr. O’Neill said an envelope with white powder was also found with the device, but no other threats were found.
Media outlets and other key locations throughout the city will have additional security after the morning’s incident, authorities warned.
“This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s time when people are feeling a lot of hatred in the air. Incidents like this exacerbate that pain and exacerbate that fear,” the mayor said.
SEE ALSO: Secret Service intercepts ‘suspicious packages’ sent to Obama, Clinton
“Terrorism only works if you let it work,” Mr. Cuomo urged, “We will not allow these terrorist thugs to change the way we live our lives.”
The package was addressed specifically to former CIA Director John Brennan, CNN reported nearly an hour after the evacuations first began.
CNN staffers are reporting on the evacuation via social media that police are treating the package as a real explosive.
Following developments on evacuation of CNN in NYC, and Time Warner Center. Law enforcement telling me and @ShimonPro: The device was constructed with a pipe and wires, according to an NYPD source. Law enforcement authorities treating device as real explosive.
— Jessica Schneider (@SchneiderCNN) October 24, 2018
Hosts of “CNN Newsroom” Poppy Harlow and Mr. Sciutto were in the middle of covering the breaking news of suspicious packages sent to former President Obama and the Clintons. A fire alarm went off in the middle of their segment and all employees were evacuated.
SEE ALSO: Suspicious package found near offices of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
CNN President Jeff Zucker informed employees that no other devices were found any of their other offices.
Jeff Zucker’s update to CNN employees: “I can confirm that we have checked all of our bureaus worldwide, and have found no other devices at this time.” pic.twitter.com/ChyYGIKTjq
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) October 24, 2018
The San Diego Union-Tribune was also evacuated Wednesday because of a suspicious package.
Reporters from the paper detailed their own evacuation on social media.
Kate Morrissey, who covers immigration for the newspaper, said that they are unsure if the package was addressed to them or another tenant in the building. She mentioned that they share the building with one of Sen. Kamala Harris’ offices.
Worth noting that we share the building with a number of companies as well as a branch of @KamalaHarris office. Not yet clear who was targeted.
— Kate Morrissey (@bgirledukate) October 24, 2018
However, Lily Adams, Ms. Harris’ communication director, said that the package was not intended for the senator or her staff.
Our office was evacuated today after suspicious packages were found near the building. The packages were not addressed to the Senator or our office. We are grateful to the San Diego Police Department for their work to swiftly investigate this issue.
— Lily Adams (@adamslily) October 24, 2018
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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