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Paxton: On 14 October 2026, in the afternoon, the Paxton Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, and EOD from Westover Air Reserve Base responded to a live artillery shell reported at a private residence on Keep Avenue in Paxton, MA. The 110-year-old artillery shell from World War I was kept by the family as an heirloom. Authorities removed the shell from the residence to be safely destroyed.
Modesto: On 13 October 2026, at approximately 1045 local time, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, EOD personnel from Travis Air Force Base, Modesto Police, and Modesto Fire Department responded to a private residence on Rexford Court in Modesto, CA, after a mortar shell was found in a backyard shed. Markings on the shell identified it as a 1975 60mm mortar. An examination by EOD determined the mortar round was inert. The Air Force EOD personnel removed the mortar. The Sheriff’s Office was investigating the legality of owning the shell.
El Paso: On 12 October 2026, around 1244 local time, the El Paso Police Department (EPPD), EPPD Bomb Squad, El Paso Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso Water, and US Border Patrol responded to old dynamite found in a storage facility at John T. Hickerson Wastewater Treatment Plant located on Executive Center Boulevard in El Paso, TX. The water treatment plant was evacuated and cordoned by police while the bomb squad evaluated the dynamite. The dynamite was rendered safe. The investigation remains ongoing.
Austin: On 12 October 2026, the Austin Police Department and their EOD team responded to a private residence, in Austin, TX, after a concerned citizen discovered the box he purchased from an estate sale contained grenades. EOD identified three Type 91 Japanese grenades, one Japanese Type 89 mortar and three US M21 practice grenades. The grenades were confirmed as live through X-ray examination. Police said the bomb squad removed the devices for later disposal.
Fort Collins: On 12 October 2026, the Colorado State University Police served a search warrant at a dormitory room in Durward Hall at Colorado State University located on West Laurel Street in Fort Collins, CO. A male suspect claimed he had napalm in a jar. Police found a glass jar with a substance consistent with napalm inside, aluminum powder, natural black iron oxide, and a pipe device with nothing inside. The suspect was arrested on felony charges. Police removed the substances, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Harrisburg: On 9 October 2026, at approximately 1400 local time, the Pennsylvania State Police Bomb Squad and Harrisburg Police responded to a Department of Corrections facility on North Cameron Street in Harrisburg, PA, after a suspected grenade was found in the facility parking lot. The area around the building was evacuated as the bomb squad inspected the device at the scene. The grenade was determined to be a replica, and the scene was cleared.
Chelsea: On 9 October 2026, around 0730 local time, the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad, Chelsea Police, and ATF responded to a pipe bomb found at a gas station located on Main Street in Chelsea, MI. A customer discovered the pipe bomb between a gas pump and trash can, and informed the gas station employees, who moved the device away from the gas pump. Police established a perimeter and bomb technicians inspected the device, confirming it was live before removing it. The investigation remains ongoing.
Montgomery Creek: On 7 October 2026, around 0850 local time, the California Highway Patrol, Shasta County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), Redding Police Department, and Shasta County Interagency Bomb Team responded to a suspected pipe bomb near the Montgomery Creek Post Office on Highway 299 in Montgomery Creek, CA. The device was discovered in the Burney area of Shasta County and transported to Montgomery Creek by a citizen. Authorities evacuated the post office and nearby residents sheltered-in-place while the bomb team neutralized the device. It was rendered safe.
Corpus Christi: On 6 October 2026, DHS Border Patrol agents and ATF found four pipe bombs on a boat at Bluff’s Landing located on Laguna Shores Road in Corpus Christi, TX. The agents also recovered an AR-15-style rifle with a 100-round drum magazine inside a duffel bag. The boat and a 28-year-old male suspect were under suspicion for involvement in human smuggling. The suspect was arrested and charged with transporting illegal aliens with life endangerment.
Tacoma: On 5 October 2026, around 1809 local time, the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) and TPD Bomb Squad responded to an explosion at a bail bonds business on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, WA. The suspect walked up to the front entrance of the business, lit an explosive device, and walked away. Around 30 seconds later, it detonated, causing damage to the front door and shattering nearby glass; no injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.