RITA COOK / Staff Writer
Body
ELLIS COUNTY – An old military issue mortar shell was found Sunday near the town of Italy, Texas.
The mortar shell, which was determined to be live, was found near Chambers Creek at Highway 77 around 12:43 p.m.
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch center received a 911 call from a concerned citizen regarding the possible explosive device.
The area where the mortar shell was located was not near a populated area.
A spokesperson for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department said it had posed no immediate danger to the public.
“In an abundance of caution, traffic on Highway 77 was temporarily blocked from traveling near this location,” Deputy Jerry Cozby, public information officer for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms along with the U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Division were contacted for assistance.
The mortar shell was safely detonated by ATF and Air Force EOD personnel using controlled measures.
Cozby said, “At this time, the origin of the ordnance is unknown and no other devices were found.”
There were no injuries during the incident and Highway 77 was reopened.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
