Federal, State & Military Resources Assist Chesterfield Police with Fatal Explosion Investigation

February 21, 2008 | Virginia News

CHESTERFIELD – Members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the U.S. Army Fort Belvoir Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, and the U.S. Marines Quantico EOD Unit have concluded their removal of military ordnance from a Chesterfield County residence in the Glebe Point subdivision. Approximately 75 antique military munitions were taken from the house and garage at 14108 Granite Point Court.

At the request of Chesterfield County Police, Virginia State Police Bomb Technicians responded Monday afternoon (Feb. 18) to the Granite Point Court residence to assist with the investigation and removal of various Civil War artillery shells. State police and ATF removed and destroyed approximately 36 such shells determined to contain live explosives. The shells were destroyed at a nearby landfill.

"For the safety of the residence, neighborhood and investigators, the live ammunition had to first be removed from the scene,” said Special Agent P.G. Neal Jr., Virginia State Police Richmond BCI Field Office. “State police bomb technicians retrieved only those munitions that posed the greatest threat.”

Because of the volume and military nature of the munitions, military bomb disposal personnel also responded to the scene and retrieved additional military ordnance that were in various stages of being disarmed. Those items are currently being examined to verify their safety and will be totally disarmed, before being returned to Mr. White’s family.

“These items had already been modified to some degree by the owner for display purposes,” said Resident Agent in Charge Bill Dunham, ATF. “We simply want to complete the process and confirm that these munitions are safe and do not pose a threat to anyone.”

Because of the hazards antique munitions can pose, anyone wishing to report and/or dispose of these devices are encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police at (804) 553-3445 or toll-free at 1-800-552-9965.