Mar 11, 2008 10:02 pm US/Pacific
Grenade Found At Modesto Middle School
MODESTO (CBS13) ―
The bomb squad was called out twice to a Modesto middle school after suspicious devices were found on campus. Authorities say one of those devices was a novelty grenade that was filled with an explosive substance.
The Modesto Police Department was called to Somerset Junior High School at 10:25 a.m. on Tuesday after a student reportedly found a grenade near classroom buildings. Officials sealed the area, evacuated nearby students, and called in the Stanislaus County Bomb Squad.
Members of the bomb squad examined the object and determined that it was a novelty grenade -- the type that can be bought at surplus stores. However, police say it was modified, and contained an explosive substance and a fuse. Officers determined that someone had lit the fuse and left it on school property, but the grenade did not detonate.
It is not yet clear how much damage the device could have caused if detonated.
When the bomb squad cleared the area, school officials discovered another suspicious device. Bomb squad members returned, and determined that the device was only a toy.
Employees and staff at Somerset will be on alert for other suspicious devices in the coming days.
Authorities are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
