Bomb squad responds after man turns in live grenade to Dayton police

Gem City Market evacuates as a precaution.
The Dayton Bomb Squad was called to the city's central patrol division headquarters on Salem Avenue after a report of a live grenade dropped off Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, by a man who found it inside a deceased relative's house. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Credit: Marshall Gorby

The Dayton Bomb Squad was called to the city's central patrol division headquarters on Salem Avenue after a report of a live grenade dropped off Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, by a man who found it inside a deceased relative's house. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

A live World War II-era grenade turned in to a Dayton police station Wednesday morning prompted the bomb squad to respond and led the nearby Gem City Market to evacuate.

The man dropped off the hand grenade around 10:45 a.m. at the Dayton Police Department’s central district headquarters at 248 Salem Ave., according to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center. In addition to the grenade, the man brought in two shotgun shells.

The Dayton Bomb Squad was called to the city's central patrol division headquarters on Salem Avenue after a report of a live grenade dropped off by a resident Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Credit: Marshall Gorby

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Credit: Marshall Gorby

Maj. Jason Hall said the device was found inside the home of the man’s deceased relative, and that the bomb squad removed it for disposal.

“It has every indications of not being inert, so we’re going to take the proper precautions and perform a disposal,” he said.

Salem Avenue was shut down near Grand and Riverview avenues, along with several side streets, and police administrative staff temporarily was moved to the back of the building.

Kim McGuire, front end manager of the Gem City Market, said the facility evacuated as a precautionary measure.

“It was kind of shocking, and there’s a lot of nervous energy among the staff, but everyone is OK,” she said.

The market shut down, but reopened by early afternoon.

Hall said the takeaway from Wednesday’s incident is for people to not touch or try to move potentially dangerous items.

“If you have something, you locate something you believe might be dangerous or hazardous, leave it where it’s at. It’s obviously much safer than trying to transport it and bring it into another area. Just call police immediately and let the first responders come and assess and take care of the situation,” he said.

Staff writer Cornelius Frolik contributed to this report.

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