Activists are reportedly suspected of placing maggots into the breakfast food of Democratic National Convention delegates at the Fairmont Chicago hotel.
Chicago Police and the FBI are on the case, a law enforcement source told WGN Investigates on Wednesday.
State troopers were seen converging on the lobby near where the meal was served and an FBI evidence response team was stationed outside the hotel, the outlet reported.
“They protected us, of course, and turned it around in minutes,” Indiana delegate Tracy Boyd told WGN.
It wasn’t reported whether any delegates actually ate the maggots before law enforcement arrived to delay the breakfast.
“We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning,” the hotel said in a statement to ABC7. “We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement. The safety, security, and well-being of our guests and staff are our top priorities.”
According to NBC Chicago, DNC officials said “multiple female offenders” entered the room and placed “unknown objects” onto tables with food and left.
Delegates told the station that the “objects” were maggots, and Chicago police and the FBI were investigating, according to the officials.
The affiliate noted that a similar stunt was done by pro-Palestinian activists at the D.C. hotel of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,” Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga told Axios. “We thank the security team for responding swiftly.”