In 2001 , only days after the September 11 attacks , letters laced with anthrax were sent to several individuals , including prominent news personalities and government officials . The letters killed 5 people and infected a further 17 . This incident of bioterrorism was initially blamed on international terrorist organization al-Qaeda , but in 2008 , was determined to stem from a Maryland scientist by the name of Bruce Edward Ivins , who committed suicide before he could be prosecuted
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
History of the United States (1991–2008)