Updated: 11:20 a.m. Friday
The number of D.C. schools receiving letters containing a powdery substance and referencing al Qaeda has increased to 39, the FBI said Friday.
Several District schools evacuated on Thursday when 29 of the letters bearing a Dallas postmark were opened in school mail rooms or administrative offices. “Right now we have 10 today, for a total of 29,” said Lindsay Godwin, an FBI spokesman.
Emergency crew were dispatched to Prospect Learning Center in Northeast at 7:26 a.m. By 9:45 a.m., they had rushed to three other schools – Bancroft Elementary, Drew Elementary and Dunbar Senior High.
By 11:20 a.m., Anacostia Senior High School and Hamilton Junior High School were being cleared by paramedics. No injuries or illnesses have been reported.
Schools are still in session at the discretion of D.C. Public Schools.
Four more letters were intercepted at postal facilities, but FBI officials believe they were addressed to D.C. schools.
