Detroit Bomb Squad finds German World War I missiles at construction site

By Sierra Pedraja and Dave Bartkowiak, Jr.
WDIV ClickOnDetroit, June 16, 2016

WW1 German shells found in Detroit building.DETROIT, MI —The Detroit Police Department Bomb Squad responded to a site in Southwest Detroit after a report of possible projectiles found at a construction site.

Police said workers tearing down a building Thursday at 2633 Michigan Avenue found what are described to be military World War I German 17-cm missiles.

"They were prepping a building for demolition," said Detroit Police Sgt. Michael Woody. "During that time they discovered four of what appear to be World War I 17-cm cannon missiles."

Woody said the missiles are about 2 feet tall and weigh about 150 pounds each.

"The crew was smart enough to pull away and call police," he said.

Woody said one building nearby was evacuated as a precaution.

"We were able to determine that there were no wicks and there was not live ammunition. It's unknown at this time how long (the missiles) have been there," said Woody.

Officers searched the rest of the building to see if anymore missiles are there. Woody said these kind of findings are not uncommon in the city.

"Sometimes it's not uncommon for us to receive phone calls from family members after a loved one or grandfather had passed away saying we've cleared out some items and we've found a hand grenade, an old firearm or some ammunition," he said.

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