Military Ordnance Disposal Shakes South Columbus

Explosions from detonating anti-aircraft rounds startled residents, raising concerns over lack of advance warning.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Explosions felt across parts of south Columbus late Friday night and early Saturday morning were the result of the disposal of 64 military-grade anti-aircraft high-explosive rounds discovered at a facility in nearby Knox County. The Columbus bomb squad and military specialists from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base were called in to handle the ordnance, which involved detonations at sites in both Knox County and on the outskirts of Columbus.

Why it matters

The decision to prioritize the urgent disposal of potentially dangerous ordnance over advance public notification highlights a difficult trade-off emergency responders often face. While transparency and community reassurance are vital, immediate public safety concerns can necessitate swift action, even if it means foregoing typical communication protocols.

The details

The Knox County Sheriff's Office reported that CH Tool & Die discovered the 64 anti-aircraft high-explosive rounds while cleaning its Mount Vernon facility on Friday. The Columbus bomb squad, along with military specialists, were then called in to handle the ordnance. Some shells were detonated on site in Knox County, while others were moved to a location on Jackson Pike, just southwest of Columbus, for disposal.

  • The explosions occurred late Friday night and early Saturday morning.
  • The ordnance was discovered by CH Tool & Die in Mount Vernon, Ohio on Friday.

The players

Knox County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that reported the discovery of the military ordnance at the CH Tool & Die facility.

CH Tool & Die

The Mount Vernon, Ohio facility where the 64 anti-aircraft high-explosive rounds were discovered while cleaning the facility.

Columbus Bomb Squad

The bomb disposal unit that was called in to handle the military ordnance.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

The military installation that provided specialists to assist with the disposal of the ordnance.

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What they’re saying

“I was watching television and I heard a boom...I felt the house shake, to be honest.”

— Wendolyn Bonaparte

“I think they should have let us know...we don't know what is going on.”

— Yenny Yorro

“World War III started.”

— Matthew Martinez, Yenny Yorro's son

What’s next

An after-action meeting and review is planned by the agencies involved to discuss how the situation could have been handled better and to assess the rationale for using two detonation locations and the route taken to the Jackson Pike site.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the difficult balance emergency responders must strike between public safety and community transparency. While advance notification is ideal, the urgent need to dispose of dangerous ordnance can sometimes necessitate swift action that prioritizes immediate risks over typical communication protocols.