Maryland State Police are investigating two explosive devices that injured at least two employees in Annapolis and Hanover state buildings on Jan. 6.
Annapolis fire crews responded shortly before 1 p.m. to an incident at the Jeffrey building on Francis Street, where an unidentified mailroom employee sustained minor burns to his fingers after opening a package, Annapolis City spokesman Phillip McGowan told the AFRO.
The Jeffrey building is adjacent to the Maryland State House and accepts packages sent to the Governor’s Office. Annapolis Mayor Joshua Cohen has informed state employees not to open mail packages until further notice.
State Police officials said in a statement the suspicious box was the size of a book and when opened, triggered a reaction involving “smoke and a sulfur-like smell.”
Employees in the building were evacuated but re-entered at 2:30 p.m.
At roughly the same time, another explosive device was reported in a mailroom at the Maryland Department of Transportation at 7201 Corporate Center Drive in Hanover after an employee opened a package that sparked a similar reaction.
The FBI, Maryland Transportation Police and State Fire Marshall’s Office are also investigating the incidents.
