Just two hours after New York City Police Department revealed that actor Robert De Niro was sent a package containing what is believed to be a pipe bomb, federal authorities have now confirmed that they have discovered a ninth parcel.
The FBI confirmed that former Vice President Joe Biden was the targeted recipient of two suspicious parcels.
The packages were intercepted by officials after they arrived at mail facilities in New Castle and Wilmington, Delaware sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Police have done sweeps of Biden's home in Greenville, Delaware, and no suspicious packages or explosives were found. The politician also owns a home in Rehoboth Beach, but it's unclear if it was searched as well.
Whether or not the package addressed to Biden contains pipe bombs is unclear, but sources say that it is consistent with the other packages authorities found across the country since Monday.
Several prominent political figures, media organizations, as well as other high-profile individuals were also targeted.
Former President Barack Obama, presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, former CIA director John Brennan, billionaire and Democrat donor George Soros, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and California congresswoman Maxine Waters have all been sent suspicious envelopes containing what investigators believe are explosive devices.
Brenner's letter bomb was dropped off at the CNN offices in NYC, which led to an hours-long evacuation and search of the building.
The envelopes indicate a return address belonging to Democratic US Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, but authorities don't have any reason to treat her as a suspect.
The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior," the FBI said in a statement. "The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of 'DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ' [sic] in Florida."
Majority of the packages have been found in New York City, where Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered law enforcement to tighten security measures at several locations, including JFK and LaGuardia airports, bridges, tunnels, as well as subway stations.
100 additional National Guard soldiers have been deployed to ensure the safety of the public.
"Public safety is our number one priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of New Yorkers," he said in a statement.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said this is an "act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence."
President Donald Trump also condemned those responsible for mailing the packages to individuals who have openly opposed him, and called for unity.
"We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that threats or acts of political violence have no place in the United States of America," he said. "This egregious conduct is abhorrent to everything we hold dear and sacred as Americans. We are extremely angry, upset, unhappy about what we witnessed this morning, and we will get to the bottom of it."
He reassured the nation that the safety of the American people is his "highest and absolute priority."
Investigation into these incidents are currently underway, so we will continue to bring you updates as we receive them.
