Suspect arrested after explosive devices sent to Trump critics and CNN

By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha, Sophie Tatum, Eric Levenson, Brian Ries, Paul P. Murphy and Jessie Yeung, CNN

Updated 2:25 p.m. ET, November 5, 2018
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12:57 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Police say live explosive device and white powder found in CNN building

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill are holding a news conference at Columbus Circle regarding the suspicious device found in the building of CNN’s New York offices.

O’Neill said the device appeared to be a live explosive device.

An envelope containing white powder was also discovered as part of the original packaging, the commissioner said.

“We’ve seen this before. We’ve seen worse. We will not be intimidated and will bring these perpetrators to justice," O’Neill said.

Watch the announcement:

 

12:54 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Harris spokesperson says their California office was evacuated

A spokesperson for Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris said their California office was evacuated. Lily Adams wrote in a tweet that the packages were not addressed to the senator or their office.

"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," Adams tweeted.

12:51 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Hillary Clinton: "We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service"

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking at an event today, assured the public her family is "fine" after authorities intercepted suspicious devices addressed to her.

"We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service who intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made its way to our home," she said.

The FBI said the package intended for Clinton was found in the vicinity of her residence in Chappaqua, New York, but offered no additional comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Representatives for the Clintons referred press inquiries to the Secret Service, and a spokeswoman for Obama did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

12:49 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

What it's like outside the Obamas' house in DC right now

From CNN's Suzanne Malveaux and Jeff Zeleny 

Obama family spokespersons Eric Schultz and Katie Hill tell CNN they are not commenting on reports that a suspicious package addressed to the former president was intercepted by the US Secret Service. 

Neither would discuss the former first family's current location and are directing reporters to the US Secret Service.  

CNN confirmed separately that the Obama family is in Washington, DC and that Mr. Obama had no public events planned for the day but was keeping to his normal schedule.

Outside the Obama home in Washington, where there is a permanent security barricade, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reports seeing an increase in the number of DC Metropolitan Police Officers on the scene, who are making sure the media and onlookers stay behind the barricade.  

US Secret Service officers also conducted a security check on all reporters and their equipment. 

12:44 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

The package at Wasserman Schultz's office was addressed to Eric Holder

From CNN's Pamela Brown and Josh Campbell

A suspicious package was sent to Eric Holder but it had the wrong address and was returned to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office in Florida because that was the return label on the package, according to two law enforcement sources.

The same return address was used for the Clinton and Obama suspicious packages.

Separately, the George Soros packages is believed to have been placed in the mailbox, not mailed, according to a separate law enforcement source.

Earlier today: A law enforcement source and a federal source briefed on the investigation into the Soros package said it had the return address of Wasserman Schultz, a prominent Democratic member of Congress.

12:56 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Rubio: "If you try to kill any of us you will have to face all of us"

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, says "an attack on an American who happens to be a Democrat, Republican or Independent is an attack on America," in a tweet.

He continues, "the terrorist behind this will soon find out that while a free people have politics that are conflictive, if you try to kill any of us you will have to face all of us."

12:35 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Catch up quick: Here's who has received suspicious packages

From Eric Levenson:

Suspicious packages were sent to several prominent political figures in the past few days.

  • George Soros: A suspicious package targeting the billionaire investor and philanthropist on Monday was rendered safe in Bedford, New York, a law enforcement source told CNN.
  • Hillary Clinton: The Secret Service intercepted a package addressed to the home of the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee in Westchester County, New York late Tuesday night.
  • Barack Obama: The Secret Service intercepted a suspicious package addressed to the former president early Wednesday morning at his home in Washington, D.C.
  • John Brennan: A package with an explosive device sent to CNN’s New York offices today was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, according to city and local law enforcement officials.
  • Debbie Wasserman Schultz: The Florida Democrat's office was evacuated after a suspicious package was found mailed there this morning, according to a police spokesman.

A US intelligence official tells CNN it is too early to tell whether there is a nexus to terrorism at this point regarding the suspicious packages sent to multiple locations.

12:33 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

ATF on scene in New York, DC and Florida

From CNN's David Shortell

Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive are on scene Wednesday at the site of the multiple suspicious packages.

They responding to packages mailed to officials in DC, and are at the Time Warner Center in New York and the office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Sunrise, Florida, ATF spokesperson April Langwell said.

They were also in New York at George Soros’ home Tuesday, she said.

12:45 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

White House issues a statement on the "attempted violent attacks"

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted a statement on a series of suspicious packages sent to various political figures.

"These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Sanders' statement said.

Read the full statement below: