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Suspicious packages sent to 2 of Wasserman Schultz's South Florida offices

Unclear whether congresswoman was at either office

SUNRISE, Fla. – Suspicious packages were sent Wednesday to two of U.S. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's offices in South Florida. 

Wasserman Schultz's office building in Sunrise was evacuated Wednesday morning after police found a package containing a bomb. Police rendered the device safe and no was hurt.

All city workers were evacuated from the building at 777 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway.

"We will not be intimidated by this attempted act of violence," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. "This appalling attack on our democracy must be vigorously prosecuted, and I am deeply disturbed by the way my name was used. Today, my staff and I will hug each other and our loved ones tightly, and tomorrow get back to work serving the people I was elected to represent."

This is one of several similar packages sent to former and current political figures across the country.

A suspicious package addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder were left outside the building. But the package had an incorrect address, so it was returned to Wasserman Schultz's office as it contained her return address.

The building also houses the Sunrise Administrative Center and sits close to the city's water plant.

Officials said the package sent to the Sunrise office was filled with shards of glass. A Sunrise police spokesman said the bomb squad prepared the device so it could be safely transported in a lab in Virginia.

It is not known whether Wasserman Schultz was in the office at the time of the evacuation. She was expected to appear Wednesday with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Coral Gables for Donna Shalala, but she did not show.

Police cordon off Sunrise building containing Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office due to bomb threat

Authorities also investigated a second threat at the congresswoman's Aventura office, where another suspicious package was found.

Aventura police said the package addressed to the congresswoman was delivered to the Government Center. 

Authorities said the package was checked out by Miami-Dade police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and was determined to pose no hazard. 

"The package we received has no nexus to any of the other national incidents that occurred today," Aventura police stated on Twitter.

The threats come on the day when explosive devices were delivered to the homes of former President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The New York City headquarters of CNN were also evacuated when a suspicious device was found in the company's mailroom.

Many, if not all, of the packages contained the return address of Wasserman Schultz's office.

 

 

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About the Authors
Sanela Sabovic headshot

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

Amanda Batchelor headshot

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

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