Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews Receives Threatening Letter With Suspicious Powder

DURHAM, NC – Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews received a threatening letter containing an unidentified powder Tuesday morning, prompting an emergency response and renewed tensions around her recent public comments. The Durham Fire Department quickly tested the substance and confirmed it was not hazardous, but the threat is now under active investigation.

Threat Investigation Underway 

Durham police said Chief Patrice Andrews opened the letter around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 30). A hazardous materials team from the Durham Fire Department responded to test the powder and confirmed it was not dangerous. Investigators have not released details about the message inside the letter or any potential suspects.

Backlash Over Social Media Post

The threat comes amid backlash over a Facebook post Andrews wrote following the Sept. 10 shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In the post, which she later deleted, Andrews criticized those honoring Kirk, calling him “a man who disguised himself as a Christian, shamed Black women like me, believed that gun violence was necessary to preserve the [Second] Amendment, and created a culture of divisiveness through hate speech.”

Since then, a petition demanding Andrews’ resignation has gathered over 2,000 signatures, and the Durham Police Department said on Sept. 15 it would review the post for any potential policy violations.

City Leader Speak Out

At a Sept. 15 City Council meeting, Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams voiced support for Andrews, emphasizing the importance of free speech even when opinions differ.

“Silence for what’s right is also damaging,” Williams said. “The First Amendment, freedom of speech, is accessible to us all … You cannot be selectively outraged and try to determine who gets access to that or not.”

Why It Matters

This incident highlights heightened tensions around law enforcement leadership and freedom of speech in Durham. While the powder was harmless, the threat underscores the risks public officials face when addressing controversial issues online.

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