VIRGINIA BEACH — The Virginia Beach Courthouse was evacuated Wednesday morning after an employee opened a piece of mail containing “an unknown substance.”
Virginia Beach Fire Department spokesman Art Kohn said the discovery inside the building at 2425 Nimmo Parkway was reported around 9 a.m.
Kohn said five people “were in the vicinity when the mail was opened. Those five were placed in isolation inside the courthouse, but are not showing any “ill effects.”
A Hazmat team was called to gain access into the clerk of courts office, where the employee opened the package.
“Until we know what we’re dealing with we don’t want to take any chances,” Kohn said.
Authorities reopened the courthouse shortly before 1:30 p.m. They said the substance in the mail “does not appear to be toxic of pose a health threat.”
The five people who were in the office have been released but told to seek medical attention “should they develop any unusual symptoms.”
Those who have court dates will receive a rescheduling notice. No other information about the incident was made immediately available.
Earlier in the day, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office sent out an alert about the evacuation, asking “the public to avoid the area.”
That message was followed by a tweet at 10:20 a.m.:”This was an isolated incident that is under control. It remains under investigation at this time and the Courthouse remains closed. When we have further details that can be released, we will provide updates at that time.”
