Posted on 10/29/2004 8:45:21 AM PDT by Rebelbase
Just got an IM from my office over in Winston.
Per xxxx, Please be aware. Stay away from Hanes Mall (and the Hanes Mall area). A substance was sprayed there earlier that has made people sick. They have sealed off the mall. Also, there has been a bomb threat at the courthouse.
I'll keep you updated. http://www.wxii12.com/news/3872535/detail.html
Courthouse, Mall Evacuated In Winston-Salem
POSTED: 10:36 am EDT October 29, 2004
UPDATED: 11:02 am EDT October 29, 2004
WINSTON-SALEM -- Authorities have evacuated the Forsyth County courthouse and a shopping mall following separate incidents Friday morning.
Police say a male caller contacted the clerk's office around 9:30 a.m. and told the clerk to empty the building. Bomb-sniffing dogs are searching the building and the block surrounding the courthouse has been sealed off.
At Hanes Mall, workers said someone entered the mall and sprayed a substance on the lower level. Mall officials confirm that the mall has been evacuated, and police say several dozen people have been quarantined.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office referred to the substance as a "suspicious biological agent." A hazardous materials unit is at the mall.
We'll have more on these stories on our noon newscast.
That does not sound good.
Hopefully it's just kids with pepper spray...not an unknown stunt in these parts.
Hm. How would they know it's a "biological" agent so quickly?
"The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office referred to the substance as a "suspicious biological agent." A hazardous materials unit is at the mall.
"
Well, it could be. Or it might not be. How does the Sherrif's Office know it is a biological agent? Testing for that takes a while.
Apparently, it disturbed some people or made them ill. That sounds like a chemical, rather than a biological agent. Could be almost anything.
As always, it's best to use caution before calling an unknown material anything but an unknown material.
Local news coming up at 12:00, I'll watch and let you know if there are any updates.
http://www.fox8wghp.com/news/
update. looks like it is starting to wind down.
Or no agent at all. Have been zillions of instances of MSI (Mass Sociogenic Illness) since the Anthrax attacks.
So, the Kerry creature can come on tv tonight and scream that Bush isn't doing enough to keep us safe.
This is transparent.
Thanks.
Someone sprayed an irritant in the lower level of Hanes Mall this morning. The Winston-Salem Fire Department took samples which tested negative for anything that might be considered weapons of mass destruction. There were four victims who recovered at the scene and were not transported to the hospital. The substance is currently being tested to find out exactly what type of irritant was sprayed. The Winston-Salem Police Department and the SBI are looking in to this morning's incident. Some sections of the mall are now open, while others continue to be closed while the investigation continues.
"Hm. How would they know it's a "biological" agent so quickly?"
Good point. I don't see how. Probably some tear gass or chemical thing. Possible prank? Let's hope so.
Good news.
Great, thanks. Headed to lunch in 5 mins.
Probably "Fart Spray". Used to funny to do when I was a kid, but now it probably means jail time, or some hellacious fines...
Hanes Mall in W-S.
They don't. But I'm sure it sounded good to whoever the PR person is.
Just damn.
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