On Thursday, a Snohomish County courtroom was evacuated after a small amount of powder, suspected to be fentanyl, was found in evidence during a trial. About 20 people inside were evaluated as a precaution, and officials said no one showed symptoms.
According to FOX 13 Seattle, Everett Fire crews responded to the Snohomish County Courthouse and worked with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office to screen and triage everyone on site. Fire personnel described the response as significant while crews checked every occupant before anyone was allowed to leave.
Local outlets disagreed on exactly which courtroom was involved. As reported by KIRO 7, responders initially believed the suspected residue was found on the second floor and moved people to the fourth floor for evaluation, while other reports pointed to a fourth floor courtroom as the original scene. Officials have not confirmed which version is correct.
Inside the Emergency Response
Emergency crews treated the discovery as a hazardous-materials call and kept bystanders at a safe distance while the evaluations were underway. Guidance for first responders from NIOSH recommends nitrile gloves and respiratory protection when powder is visible, and notes that brief skin contact with fentanyl is unlikely to cause an overdose. The agency advises washing any contaminated skin with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer.
Why a Small Powder Scare Gets a Big Reaction
The Puget Sound region has already had a few high-profile scares involving suspected fentanyl in public buildings. In 2023, envelopes that led to evacuations at election offices were documented by the Los Angeles Times. Incidents like those, combined with the drug's potency, have kept courts and emergency services on edge whenever an unknown powder shows up in a public space.
The Snohomish County Superior Court's main facility is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave in Everett, according to the county court page. No arrests or charges had been reported as of Thursday afternoon, and officials said the investigation was still ongoing, per FOX 13 Seattle.
