A woman is in custody after throwing white powder in the lobby of the U.S. Attorney’s office in downtown Providence. The woman entered the office at around 11:00am Wednesday, had a brief conversation with a security guard, then tossed the white powder.
That prompted an evacuation, said the U.S. Attorney’s spokesman Jim Martin. He said Providence police, fire, state police and a hazmat unit responded to the incident.
The woman and the security guard were both taken to Rhode Island Hospital for an evaluation. Martin said initial tests show the powder was harmless. “It is believed to be baby powder. The two tests that were taken by the hazmat teams both indicated likely that the substance was baby powder,” said Martin, “however there’s a formal testing that’s still ongoing.”
The woman’s name is being withheld, and Martin said there could be federal charges but would not disclose a possible motive. Martin said the woman was neither on staff at the U.S. Attorney’s office nor a member of law enforcement.
The investigation is ongoing.
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