Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Florida office evacuated due to suspicious package

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The Florida office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) was evacuated Wednesday over reports of a suspicious package, according to local authorities.

Police in Sunrise, Fla., confirmed on Twitter that an investigation into a suspicious package found near the lawmaker’s office was underway and advised residents to stay away from the area. Wasserman Schultz is a former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

{mosads}”ALERT!!! We are working an investigation of a suspicious package near Sawgrass Corporate Parkway. Please stay out of the area of NW 8th St and NW 136th Ave. We will provide further updates when available,” the department tweeted.

A subsequent tweet said, “There have been no reports of any other incidents or suspicious packages at any other venues within Sunrise.”

A police spokesman informed CNN that the office had been evacuated and secured, and that a bomb squad was on site. It was unclear, according to CNN, whether the package found was similar in nature to those sent to former President Obama and former President Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, which were reportedly intercepted by U.S. Secret Service. Those packages included potential explosive devices, according to news reports.

At least one suspicious package, addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder, used Wasserman Schultz’s office as the return address and was returned by the U.S. Postal Service to her office since it had the wrong information for Holder, who served during the Obama administration.

It was unclear if a separate package was addressed to Wasserman Schultz or if Sunrise police were investigating the package addressed to Holder.

Sunrise police did not immediately respond to a request for further information.

A second suspicious package delivered to the congresswoman’s office in Aventura, Fla. caused the evacuation and cordoning-off of the city’s government center Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

“#AventuraPolice is investigating a suspicious package that was delivered to our Government Center. This is being done as a precaution due to recent events. Do not use W. Country Club Dr. since we have blocked off the street. Will advise when we have more info,” Aventura’s police department tweeted.

Wasserman Schultz’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday about either incident.

–Updated at 3:29 p.m.

Tags Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democratic Party Eric Holder Florida Hillary Clinton suspicious package

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