Suspected Pipe Bombs Cleared from Fort Washington Park

ATF Baltimore assisted in the investigation and removal of the devices.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The Baltimore ATF Division, U.S. Park Police, and Prince George's County Fire Department worked together to clear multiple suspected explosive devices from Fort Washington Park on Sunday and Monday. A total of nine suspected pipe bombs were found in a remote area of the park, and the investigation is ongoing.

Why it matters

The discovery of suspected pipe bombs in a public park raises concerns about public safety and the potential for more widespread threats. The coordinated response by multiple law enforcement agencies highlights the seriousness with which these types of incidents are handled.

The details

Officials received a report of suspected explosive devices around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. After locating the devices, bomb squads were called in to assist. Due to low visibility, the search was postponed until Monday, when a total of nine suspected pipe bombs were found and removed from the remote area of the park. The investigation is ongoing, and all evidence will be taken to the ATF National Lab.

  • The report of suspected explosive devices came in around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2026.
  • The search and clearing of the park was postponed until Monday, March 25, 2026.
  • Fort Washington Park will remain closed for the investigation and is expected to reopen on Wednesday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Baltimore ATF Division

The Baltimore division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which assisted in the investigation and clearing of the suspected pipe bombs.

U.S. Park Police

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting national parks, which was involved in the investigation and clearing of the suspected pipe bombs.

Prince George's County Fire Department

The fire department that assisted in the investigation and clearing of the suspected pipe bombs.

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What’s next

The investigation into the suspected pipe bombs is ongoing, and all evidence will be taken to the ATF National Lab for further analysis. Fort Washington Park will remain closed until the investigation is complete and the park is deemed safe for the public to return.

The takeaway

The discovery of suspected pipe bombs in a public park highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for coordinated law enforcement response to potential threats to public safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring the security of public spaces.