'Suspicious white powder' shuts down courthouse

Evacuation over, substance being tested

Keith Gedamke / The Item
Crews set up outside of the Sumter County Courthouse after an employee reported finding an envelope with a "suspicious white powder" in it on Wednesday morning.

By HEATH HAMACHER
Item Staff Writer
hhamacher@theitem.com

Authorities have taped off a one-block perimeter surrounding the Sumter County Courthouse after a suspicious piece of mail arrived this morning.

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said a probate judge employee called 911 at 11:41 a.m. to report an envelope that had a “suspicious white powder” in it. The envelope has no return address.

“It also said something similar to 'die' in the letter,” Dennis said. “The employee called 911 and we responded, along with DHEC, Shaw, the postal inspector, fire and EMS.”
A hazardous materials team from Shaw Air Force Base is in the process of testing the substance, Dennis said.

He said 10-12 courthouse employees and law enforcement officers, city and county, who were exposed to the envelope, remain in the courthouse.

The Item has a crew on the scene. Check the Web site (www.theitem.com) often as we will update you on this story as more information is available.