HOUSTON – A suspicious envelope believed to contain white powder was found at a third Houston elementary school on Thursday.
The Bellaire police and fire departments, and postal inspectors were called out to Condit Elementary, 3000 South Third St., about 1:30 p.m.
Investigators said school employees did not open the suspicious envelope.
Houston Independent School District Assistant Police Chief Robert Mock said the envelope was similar to ones found at two schools on Wednesday.
About 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Houston firefighters were sent to Barbara Bush Elementary, 13800 Westerlock, when an envelope containing powder was discovered. The school was locked down for a short time.
Firefighters took the envelope, which had not been opened, out of the school. Investigators later determined that the powder was harmless.
The first case reported on Wednesday was at Crockett Elementary, 2112 Crockett, at 9 a.m.
The Houston Independent School District said office workers found the powder inside an envelope. The air-conditioning system was shut down and the school was locked down during the investigation.
Firefighters determined that the powder was not hazardous.
The school district said no children were exposed and classes continued as normal.
"After the letter was received at Crockett, within minutes of that letter being received, we sent a letter to all of our principals, that a letter had been received at Crockett and that they should all be on the lookout," school district spokesman Jason Spencer said.
Principals have been given a to-do list in case more white powder is mailed to schools.
- Keep the letter isolated in one room
- Turn off air-conditioner
- Notify police and firefighters
Police said they don't have any suspects yet. If the sender is found, even if it was all just a hoax, that person could face felony charges.
Similar packages have showed up at six schools, a church day care and a hospital in Dallas recently. FBI agents are working to determine if the Dallas and Houston cases may be connected.
In October 2010, 17 Houston schools received envelopes that contained cornstarch. Detectives have not determined who sent those envelopes.
