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Live WWII mortar shell found in Cottonwood Heights

(Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) U.S. Air Force personnel remove a World War II era Japanese Type 89 shell from a home in Cottonwood Heights Monday August 7, 2017. The shell was discovered by a man who was cleaning out the home of a friend who had recently passed away. The Air Force placed the shell in a large metal canister and removed it from the home. According to Cottonwood Heights police the shell was in pristine condition when it was found.

  | Aug. 7, 2017, 8:30 p.m.
| Updated: Sep. 13, 2017, 9:49 p.m.

Police safely removed a live World War II-era mortar shell from a Cottonwood Heights residence Monday afternoon, after it was found in a box at the home.

The person who called police was reportedly going through boxes in the home of a recently deceased war veteran, said Cottonwood Heights police Sgt. Thom Daugherty, and found a live Japanese Type 89 mortar shell intact with its safety lock in place.

The person called police about 1 p.m., Daugherty said, and multiple agencies — including Hill Air Force Base — responded to the home on Cardinal Way (about 7350 South) near Eastbourne Drive (2430 East).

Officers blocked off Cardinal Way and removed the shell safely, according to Daugherty. They planned to destroy the explosive device Monday evening, the sergeant said.