Beachgoer Finds Buried WWII Era Grenade

Anna Maria, Florida A beachcomber looking for sea shells found a grenade several feet from the shore near the Rod and Reel pier. The beachgoer, a veteran of the Afghanistan war, recognized the hazard immediately and called the police. The police responded with technical support from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad.

The bomb squad safely removed the corroded grenade from the area and transported it off-site for safe disposal. The grenade reportedly dated back to WWII era. Authorities suspect that the grenade came from when Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key was used as an ammunition storage facility.

Anna Maria Island sits southwest of Fort DeSoto Park, the location of Mullet Key , a Formerly Used Defense Site