Deteriorated Explosive Device Found on Tennessee Walking Trail

Authorities responded to a report of a suspicious item resembling an old hand grenade along the Wolf River in Germantown.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:06pm

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The Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee reported that deputies were called to a walking trail near the Wolf River in Germantown on Tuesday evening after a suspicious item resembling an old hand grenade was discovered. The device was significantly deteriorated and weathered, indicating it had been there for some time.

Why it matters

The discovery of any explosive device, even an old and deteriorated one, raises public safety concerns and requires a response from law enforcement to secure the area and determine if there are any ongoing threats. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious items found in public spaces.

The details

According to the report, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office patrol and Bomb unit responded to the scene around 8:56 p.m. on March 31 after being alerted to the suspicious item near the walking trail. The object did resemble an old hand grenade, but appeared to be significantly deteriorated and weathered, suggesting it had been there for an extended period.

  • On March 31, at about 08:56 p.m., SCSO patrol and Bomb unit responded to the report.

The players

Shelby County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the report of the suspicious device and secured the area.

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The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious items or activities to the authorities, as even old or deteriorated explosives can pose a potential threat to public safety.