Projectile event in WA, Wenatchee area, United States of America on Wed 8th May 2024

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee police on Monday were forced to babysit an explosive shell that dated back to World War II until bomb experts could dispose of it.

Police Capt. Edgar Reinfeld says about 4:15 p.m., someone found an intact 40-millimeter antiaircraft shell lying outside the former Wenatchee fire station at 136 S. Chelan Ave., just opposite City Hall. A pair of gardening gloves were laid on top of the shell, Reinfeld says.

The shell, about 12 inches long, was of the type commonly used in antiaircraft guns of the early 1940s. It was left at the northeast corner of the fire hall property, which has been vacant since 2021.

"Not sure where it came from," Reinfeld told NCWLIFE. "It’d be nice to say that stuff isn’t out there, but we do see it fairly often."

An Army explosives removal team from Yakima came to safely dispose of the ordnance, but took about three hours to arrive. Wenatchee police stood by and cordoned off the area of the discovery with caution tape.

Reinfeld says the incident does not appear to be a criminal act. “The important thing,” he says, “is somebody saw something weird, and called someone right away.”