This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/michael-bloomberg-ricin-letters-new-york-mayor
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ricin letters sent to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg | Ricin letters sent to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg |
| (4 months later) | |
| Two threatening letters sent to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg contained traces of the deadly poison ricin, police said on Wednesday. | Two threatening letters sent to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg contained traces of the deadly poison ricin, police said on Wednesday. |
| The anonymous letters were opened in New York on Friday at the city's mail facility in Manhattan and in Washington on Sunday at an office used by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the nonprofit started by Bloomberg. Chief New York police spokesman Paul Browne said preliminary testing done on Wednesday indicated the presence of ricin in both letters. | The anonymous letters were opened in New York on Friday at the city's mail facility in Manhattan and in Washington on Sunday at an office used by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the nonprofit started by Bloomberg. Chief New York police spokesman Paul Browne said preliminary testing done on Wednesday indicated the presence of ricin in both letters. |
| The people who initially came into contact with the letters showed no symptoms of exposure to the poison, but three officers who later examined the New York letter experienced some minor symptoms that have since abated, police said. | The people who initially came into contact with the letters showed no symptoms of exposure to the poison, but three officers who later examined the New York letter experienced some minor symptoms that have since abated, police said. |
| Both the letters contained threats to Bloomberg and an oily pinkish-orange substance, Browne said. He would not comment on what specific threats were made or where the letters were postmarked. | Both the letters contained threats to Bloomberg and an oily pinkish-orange substance, Browne said. He would not comment on what specific threats were made or where the letters were postmarked. |
| Word of the letters comes as a 37-year-old man is charged in Washington state with sending the toxin in letters to a federal judge, and about a month after letters containing the substance were addressed to President Barack Obama, a US senator and a Mississippi judge. A Mississippi man was arrested in that case. | Word of the letters comes as a 37-year-old man is charged in Washington state with sending the toxin in letters to a federal judge, and about a month after letters containing the substance were addressed to President Barack Obama, a US senator and a Mississippi judge. A Mississippi man was arrested in that case. |
| Police said the letter in Washington, DC, was opened by Mark Glaze, the director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. He was working out of a lobbying firm office. | Police said the letter in Washington, DC, was opened by Mark Glaze, the director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. He was working out of a lobbying firm office. |
| A mayor's spokesman also speaking for the nonprofit said he had no comment. | A mayor's spokesman also speaking for the nonprofit said he had no comment. |
| Federal officials were investigating. Browne would not say whether the letters were believed to be linked to any other recent ricin cases. | Federal officials were investigating. Browne would not say whether the letters were believed to be linked to any other recent ricin cases. |
| According to the Centers for Disease Control, ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, vomiting and redness on the skin depending on how the affected person comes into contact with the poison. | According to the Centers for Disease Control, ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, vomiting and redness on the skin depending on how the affected person comes into contact with the poison. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |