At approximately 1500 hours on Friday, April 9th, the FBI requested EPA Region 10 assistance in responding to a potential terrorist lab at a residential property in Kirkland, Washington. FBI had taken a suspect into custody and was in the process of completing evidence collection when the call came into the Regional Response Center. Hazardous materials at the scene included consumer and laboratory grade solvents and corrosives, castor beans, which had been partially processed in an attempt to make ricin, low-grade uranium ore, mercury, and small amounts of other hazardous substances.
EPA Region 10 mobilized two OSCs (David Rees, lead, and Calvin Terada) and our technical assistance (START-2) and cleanup (ERRS) contractors. FBI had cleared the scene of secondary devices by the time EPA arrived. Press interest was low through the FBI response and the FBI gave Kirkland PD PIO a statement something to the effect of "In the course of an ongoing FBI investigation, hazardous materials were found, and they are being rendered safe. There are no impacts outside the home." EPA PIO MacIntyre and CID Agent Wojnicz also mobilized to the scene.
