Series of EmergencyNet News Reports on Threats of Biological Attack (Anthrax Hoaxes) Within the United States -- 02 Oct 98 to 10 Nov 98
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of credible domestic threats involving weapons of mass destruction has increased significantly this year and the danger posed by international terrorism will continue for the foreseeable future, an FBI official said Friday.
In the first nine months of 1998, the FBI opened more than 86 investigations into the threatened use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials, said Robert Blitzer, the bureau's chief of domestic terrorism and counterterrorism planning.
The previous year, 68 similar investigations were begun, Blitzer told a hearing of the House Government Reform and Oversight subcommittee on national security, international affairs and criminal justice." (Associated Press 02 Oct 98)
Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Tuesday, November 3, 1998 Vol. 4 - 307
TERRORISM/POLITICAL VIOLENCE
UNITED STATES
INDIANAPOLIS (EmergencyNet News) - The anthrax scare at eight abortion clinics in four Midwestern states was officially pronounced as a hoax on Monday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that tests found no evidence that any of the eight threatening letters received on Friday and Saturday contained the deadly bacteria or any other bacterial agent. However, tests still were being performed to identify a brownish powder found inside at least four of the envelopes.
Even without anthrax, it is still a crime to threaten to use a weapon of mass destruction. The FBI said it has no suspects. The letters were received at clinics in Indianapolis; New Albany, Indiana; Scottsburg, Indiana; Knoxville, Tennessee; Wichita, Kansas; and Louisville, Kentucky. All eight of the 3-by-5-inch white envelopes had Cincinnati postmarks. The letters said: "You have just been exposed to anthrax."
*****
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE (EmergencyNet News) - The FBI said on Monday that a second Knoxville abortion clinic received a threatening letter, which the sender said was contaminated with the deadly anthrax bacteria. Workers at the Volunteer Medical Clinic received the letter shortly after noon, and immediately contacted the FBI. The unopened letter was sent to the FBI's lab for testing.
Excerpted from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Tuesday, November 10, 1998 Vol. 4 - 314
TERRORISM/POLITICAL VIOLENCE
INDIANAPOLIS (EmergencyNet News) - A Catholic parish with about 481 elementary students and teachers was evacuated after a letter claiming to contain anthrax bacteria was opened on Monday at the parish school just ten days after a similar threat cleared a local abortion clinic. Authorities said it was not immediately clear if the letter sent to St. Matthew Catholic Church contained the deadly bacteria, but six administrators were decontaminated and given antibiotics.
The administrators were present in an office when someone opened an envelope with a note saying: "You have been exposed to anthrax." The FBI said it was possible a copycat was playing on fears from the previous incident.
An inspector with the U.S. Postal Service said the white envelope with a Texas postmark and no return address was delivered to the school about 1230 EST and opened shortly afterward.
The Chicago office of an anti-abortion group and a Catholic church in suburban Buffalo, New York, received similar letters. Nine people were decontaminated at Queen of Martyrs church in Cheektowaga, New York. The FBI said it was investigating the third letter, which was sent to the Chicago office of the Pro-Life Action League claiming to contain anthrax. The office was not evacuated and none of the seven people there was hospitalized. The letters to Indianapolis and Chicago had Texas postmarks; the letter to the New York church was from Illinois.
Previous/Related News Stories
08/18/98 - 16:00CDT -- Possible Chem/Bio Contamination Incident in Wichita. KS
07/28/98 - New York City Prepares For Possible Terrorist Chem/Bio Iincidents
06/23/98 - Some Counterterrorism Experts Fear Smaller Groups In A Bio-Attack
04/26/98 - U.S. Biological Attack Drill Indicates Serious Problems
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