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CNN Building Evacuated After Suspicious Package Found at Time Warner Center

Source: The Hollywood Reporter:::
October 24, 2018 at 11:09
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A CNN reporter said that authorities believe the package contains a real bomb, including wires, though the situation is under control.

CNN's Time Warner Center office was evacuated on Wednesday in response to the discovery of a suspicious package, the network's journalists reported on air.

"The New York bomb squad unit right in front of the building, they are taking this very seriously," morning anchor Jim Sciutto said. The package was found inside the mailroom, after it was delivered.

Sciutto said the network is not aware of any injuries. He said that CNN employees were asked to move ever further away from their office building. "They want us across the avenue, as far away as the building," he said.

Sciutto's co-anchor, Poppy Harlow, said the fire alarm went off during her broadcast.

"They are treating this as a real, explosive device," said reporter Shimon Prokupecz. "Serious concern in New York, as the police are treating this as the real deal."

But, he said that authorities believe they have the situation under control. The package contained wires, he reported based on conversations with the police.

"The Time Warner Center has been evacuated out of an abundance of caution, as a result of a suspicious package having been received in the mailroom," CNN president Jeff Zucker said in a memo to employees. "We are working with authorities to determine the severity of the situation.  The NYPD is on scene, and we we working closely with them to take every precaution.  We are also checking all bureaus around the world, out of a complete abundance of caution."

Zucker continued: "We expect more information very soon, and we ask that you remain calm and patient. If you would feel more comfortable leaving the premises, please do. Your safety is our top priority, and we will communicate again shortly."

Suspicious packages were also sent to the homes of former president Barack Obama and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, as well as to the home of financier and Democratic Party funder George Soros.

Anchor Wolf Blitzer said on air that the White House has been briefed on the Time Warner Center threat.

CNN has faced credible security threats before. In January, a Michigan man was arrested after calling in threats to CNN's office in Atlanta. In response, Zucker told employees that the network "stepped up" security procedures following the threat.

Last week, The New York Times had the New York Police Department erect concrete security barriers around the newspaper's midtown headquarters.

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