Man digs up WWII artillery shell in Brighton Park backyard
A man dug up a World War II artillery shell Wednesday in his Brighton Park backyard and called police, who sent out explosives experts to investigate and then destroy it, according to police.
The resident called police when he came upon the 75 mm shell at his home in the 3000 block of West 38th Place. District officers contacted the department’s bomb squad, which then moved the shell to another location, said police spokesman Tom Ahern.
The bomb squad did an X-ray on the shell and determined it was likely live. Artillery shells contain explosive fillings.
“He wasn’t quite sure what it was and he did the right thing,” Ahern said.
Bomb squad officers destroyed the shell in a safe manner, he said.
Explosives — including artillery shells, fireworks and the like — are illegal in Chicago, said Ahern, adding that bomb squad members did a preliminary investigation as to the source of the shell. Chicago police did not provide additional details Friday.
Ahern encouraged residents to call police if they find potential explosives. He said people should clear the area and not inspect objects themselves.
“I’m sure that it’s happened before where there are leftover remains from wartime that occasionally surface, and they’re disposed of accordingly by the experts,” Ahern said.
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