WW II-era mortar leads to evacuation in Platte City

Downtown Platte City residents got a scare Sunday when a man discovered a World War II era mortar shell.

The man told police he was assisting an elderly citizen move in when he found a “shell,” which appeared to be a WWII era mortar shell. The mortar was covered in rust and appeared intact.

As a precaution, an evacuation perimeter was set up and all residents within the perimeter were contacted and evacuated without incident — including the congregation at First Baptist Church, which was in session at the time.

The Kansas City Bomb Squad responded and determined the mortar was a M69 training mortar.

Due to the item being a military ordnance, the Army Bomb Unit was dispatched to the scene. The Army Bomb Unit said the shell was a training round that posed no threat.

No additional items were located when officers checked the home where the mortar originated. The mortar had been in the family for years and had belonged to a family member who was prior military.

The approximately four pound cartridge was made with a cast iron body, inert filler and detachable fins. The rounds were used to train recruits to fire M2 mortars, which were used from WWII through the Vietnam War.

In a press release, the police department thanked Central Platte Fire, the Kansas City Bomb Squad and the US Army Bomb Unit for their assistance, as well as the citizens of Platte City who were cooperative and understanding in the evacuation.