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Live Grenade Found in Florida Goodwill Donation
A Palatka Goodwill store was evacuated after employees discovered a live grenade among donated items, prompting a bomb squad response and a public safety warning from police.
Grenade by Sven Verweij by Unsplash
Staff at a Goodwill store in Palatka, Florida, were forced to evacuate the building on Thursday after discovering a live grenade among donated items, prompting an immediate response from local and county law enforcement authorities.
According to officials, a store employee found the grenade inside a donation bin near a door reserved for drop-offs at the Goodwill location at 103 South State Road 19 in Palatka. The Palatka Police Department said officers responded immediately after the report and evacuated the building as a safety precaution, First Coast News reported.
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Personnel from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad were dispatched to the scene and safely removed the grenade. Authorities later remotely detonated the device at a secure location, confirming it was live.
Goodwill spokeswoman Liz Morgan said the grenade was discovered before it reached the store’s retail floor. She stressed the importance of carefully screening donated items, noting that the incident highlights the risks faced by employees who routinely sort through donations. Law enforcement officials responding to such calls often rely on secure, accessible communication equipment during evacuations and bomb responses, underscoring the role of gear such as MOLLE-compatible radio pouches designed to keep critical communication devices readily available in high-risk situations.
In a prepared statement shared with NBC News, the Palatka Police Department reminded the public to thoroughly inspect items before donating. “We want to remind the community to thoroughly check all items before donating, ensuring that hazardous items, such as explosives, firearms or ammunition, are not accidentally included,” the statement said.
Police also issued a warning about handling suspicious objects. “If you ever locate something that appears to be a hand grenade or other explosive device, do not touch it or handle it,” the statement added. “Immediately evacuate the area and call law enforcement.”
Palatka is located in northeastern Florida, approximately 60 miles south of Jacksonville. No injuries were reported, and authorities said the situation was resolved without further incident.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based solely on information provided by law enforcement, Goodwill representatives, and media reports at the time of publication. Authorities emphasized that no injuries were reported and that the device was safely handled by trained personnel. The investigation into how the grenade ended up among donated items remains ongoing.
