Ocala Police Department evacuated over white powder in letter

MCFR says 4 other reports received of suspicious packages

OCALA, Fla. – The front building of the Ocala Police Department has been evacuated on Friday after a worker found white powder in an envelope, police say.

Police said a letter came in addressed to the police department and was filled with the powder, getting on the worker's hands.

Recommended Videos



The hazardous materials team later deemed the substance to be non-hazardous.

Marion County Fire Rescue  says they also responded to suspicious package reports at the Marion County Courthouse, the Marion County Jail, the Marion County Superintendent of School's office and the Ocala Star Banner.

No injuries were reported.

All five suspicious packages will be sent to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories in Jacksonville for further testing

In response, the county stopped delivery for Friday of internal and incoming mail to the Board of County Commissioners departments and offices in an effort to protect both staff and citizens in county buildings.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for more details.


Recommended Videos