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On Thursday, a courtroom in Washington state became the scene of an unexpected evacuation after a piece of evidence containing fentanyl residue was opened, necessitating a hazmat team intervention. This occurred at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett, around 11:55 a.m., as reported by the Everett Fire Department.
The incident began when an evidence envelope, which was said to contain a scale, was unsealed during the trial. Subsequent tests revealed that this scale bore traces of fentanyl. The reasons for opening the envelope during the proceedings remain undisclosed.
Rachael Doniger from the Everett Fire explained, “One person thought that they saw a small powder that kind of came off the scale,” adding to the gravity of the situation. This observation led to immediate concerns about exposure to the potent drug.
As a precaution, nearly twenty individuals were swiftly evacuated from the second-floor courtroom to ensure their safety. The Everett Fire Department’s prompt response was crucial in managing the potential exposure to the hazardous substance.
This incident underscores the pervasive risks associated with handling evidence containing fentanyl, a powerful opioid, even in controlled environments such as courtrooms. The community and those involved in legal proceedings are reminded of the importance of stringent safety measures when dealing with such substances.
Out of an abundance of caution, everyone in the courtroom was relocated to the courthouse’s fourth floor for medical evaluation. Crews checked vitals and blood pressure and monitored for potential overdose symptoms, including unconsciousness or difficulty breathing, officials said.
“No one showed any symptoms or was taken to the hospital,” Doniger said, adding that all individuals were released to go home.
The second-floor courtroom was shut down by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office while a specialized hazmat team cleaned and secured the area.
A courtroom was evacuated and evaluated for fentanyl exposure, prompting a hazmat response from Everett Fire. (Everett Fire Department Facebook)
The unusual incident raised questions about how drug evidence is handled inside courtrooms.
Mark Lindquist, the former district attorney for Pierce County and a former trial chief of the Pierce County Drug Unit, told KOMO he had never heard of a courtroom being cleared over potential drug exposure.
“Either somebody dropped the ball here or a rule needs to be changed,” Lindquist said.
Authorities closed a second-floor courtroom at the Snohomish County Courthouse while a hazmat team cleaned the area after suspected fentanyl exposure. (Everett Fire Department Facebook)
He added that drug paraphernalia should be securely stored in an evidence room and questioned why photographs were not used during the Snohomish County trial instead of the physical scale.
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a courtroom being cleared because of potential exposure to drugs,” Lindquist said. “And it highlights why prosecutors use pictures rather than the actual drug.”
When asked whether an investigation was underway, the Superior Court told KOMO it is looking into all the circumstances and reviewing policies and procedures to prevent something similar from happening again.
“We take all matters impacting staff and court users very seriously, especially with regard to the spaces in which the public frequently occupies,” a statement from the court said. “We are committed to taking all steps necessary to make sure events like this don’t happen again, including examining policies and procedures and working collaboratively with stakeholders.”
Officials said the exact quantity of fentanyl residue involved remains unknown. There was no visible plume or indication of a significant airborne release.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.