STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State University Police Department is investigating some suspicious white powder a professor found this afternoon in an auditorium on campus.
Bob Raymond was preparing to begin a French class in a basement auditorium in Mitchell Memorial Library when he noticed several items, including two envelopes, on a table. Raymond opened one of the envelopes to see what was inside and came across the white powder.
Raymond then called MSU police and police called in Terry Coggins, from the university”s radiation safety and chemical hygiene office, and the room was quarantined.
Authorities briefly quarantined Raymond and two students who were in the room when he opened the envelopes – Camille Washington, a senior from Illinois, and Lindsey Cacamo, a senior from Madison. Raymond and the students eventually were released and police took the powder from the library for further testing.
Washington said the substance smelled like baby powder.
The room is still locked and will be until it is “thoroughly” cleaned, MSU Assistant Dean of Students Cade Smith said.
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