A letter sent to President Obama tested positive for Ricin, On Tuesday, a suspicious letter was intercepted by the White House mail screening. The FBI is investigating the letter which is said to have a suspicious substance in it that was thought to be Ricin. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney confirmed today in a press conference that initial tests did show the toxin Ricin was present.
“The letter was sent to Obama on Tuesday, and was intercepted at the White House mail screening facility, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said Wednesday,” according to USA Today.
View slideshow: Look: Ricin attack on Washington
This is not the first incident in recent days of Ricin being sent to public figures. At least four U.S. senators have received suspicious mail. Less than 24-hours prior to President Obama receiving alarming mail, “U.S. Capitol Police confirmed it was investigating a letter addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., that tested positive for the poison Ricin in a preliminary examination.” (USA Today)
On Wednesday, Republican Senator of Arizona Jeff Flake's Phoenix office was also evacuated and the ventilation system was turned off as they investigated the first floor of that building after receiving letters that proved worrisome. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Ala. Also received a suspicious package to his Washington office.
President Obama's mail is opened at a remote location away from the White House complex. However, this does not diminish the severity of the nature of the Ricin attacks aimed at him. Initial tests can prove false; however, in light of recent Ricin attacks involving wicker's mail and the other three senators, the odds are in favor of the substance Ricin being the powder, but the truth will not be known until the investigation is complete. It can take 24-48 hours to adequately test the substance and come out with a quality result. The world will be waiting to hear these results.
“The letter was sent to Obama on Tuesday, and was intercepted at the White House mail screening facility, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said Wednesday,” according to USA Today.
View slideshow: Look: Ricin attack on Washington
This is not the first incident in recent days of Ricin being sent to public figures. At least four U.S. senators have received suspicious mail. Less than 24-hours prior to President Obama receiving alarming mail, “U.S. Capitol Police confirmed it was investigating a letter addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., that tested positive for the poison Ricin in a preliminary examination.” (USA Today)
On Wednesday, Republican Senator of Arizona Jeff Flake's Phoenix office was also evacuated and the ventilation system was turned off as they investigated the first floor of that building after receiving letters that proved worrisome. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Ala. Also received a suspicious package to his Washington office.
President Obama's mail is opened at a remote location away from the White House complex. However, this does not diminish the severity of the nature of the Ricin attacks aimed at him. Initial tests can prove false; however, in light of recent Ricin attacks involving wicker's mail and the other three senators, the odds are in favor of the substance Ricin being the powder, but the truth will not be known until the investigation is complete. It can take 24-48 hours to adequately test the substance and come out with a quality result. The world will be waiting to hear these results.
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