Police responded to a white powder scare at the Islamic Center of New London on Fort Street in Groton on Friday and authorities are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
The unknown substance was found in an envelope at the center just before 9 a.m., according to police. A 43-year-old man was exposed to the powder substance, but was not hurt, police said. The powder has been sent to the state lab for testing.
Those in the building were temporarily held under a shelter-in-place. No injuries were reported. Fort Street was also closed but has since reopened.
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) said the envelope contained a white substance and hate mail with derogatory comments about Islam. The organization is calling for increased security at Islamic institutions as a precaution.
Groton police, firefighters, state police and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection all responded to the scene. City of Groton Police and the FBI are investigating, and say the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
