Jar of white powder found on bus in Kirkland causes concern

Preliminary tests determined nothing is hazardous and police believe it fell out of someone’s bag.

Kirkland police have finished preliminary testing on a jar of white powder that was left unattended on a King County Metro Transit bus the evening of Dec. 3 and determined that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Rob Saloum, spokesperson for the Kirkland Police Department, said they’ve sent off samples for further testing at state labs to determine if the powder is hazardous. Currently, police are reviewing bus security footage to find the owner of the jar. Saloum added that detectives believe the jar may have fallen out of someone’s bag after a bump and may not have been left there intentionally.

The bus driver found the jar Monday evening at the end of the shift near the 600 block of 6th Street. He notified his supervisor who then notified Kirkland police and fire departments. Police blocked off the surrounding area for about an hour while they investigated the jar.

Saloum said the tests may take several weeks, but he expects the powder is harmless.