Live Explosive Round Found at Palm Springs Airport, Safely Detonated

Authorities called in bomb squad to investigate and dispose of the corroded 25mm ordnance

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:40am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a heavily corroded metal object with a cylindrical shape, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the discovery of a dangerous explosive device at an airport.The discovery of a live explosive round at Palm Springs Airport exposes the ongoing need for vigilant security screening and coordination between authorities.Palm Springs Today

A live explosive round was discovered during a routine security screening at Palm Springs International Airport on Thursday afternoon. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department bomb squad was called in, confirmed the round was active, and safely detonated it in a remote desert area. The individual involved, a 30-year-old man from Henderson, was detained and later released to military authorities.

Why it matters

The discovery of a live explosive at an airport raises serious security concerns and highlights the importance of vigilant screening procedures to protect public safety. While the incident appears to be isolated, it underscores the need for continued coordination between law enforcement, military, and transportation authorities to address any potential threats.

The details

TSA agents identified the 25-millimeter explosive round during a standard security check around 12:05 p.m. The heavily corroded object made it difficult to immediately determine if it was an inert training device or an active explosive. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department bomb squad was called in, conducted X-ray analysis, and confirmed the round was live. It was then transported to a remote desert area near North Gene Autry Trail and safely detonated.

  • The explosive round was discovered around 12:05 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2026.
  • The controlled detonation occurred shortly after 3:15 p.m. on the same day.

The players

Palm Springs Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident at the airport.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The county-level law enforcement agency that dispatched its bomb squad to investigate and dispose of the explosive round.

30-year-old Henderson man

The individual who claimed to have found the ordnance about a year ago and believed it was not live.

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What’s next

The case is now under review by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, and the 30-year-old man could face administrative action through the United States Marine Corps.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of vigilant security screening at airports and the need for continued coordination between law enforcement, military, and transportation authorities to address any potential threats to public safety.