8-Year-Old Discovers Live Military Mortar in Backyard

A surprising incident unfolded in Sacramento County when an 8-year-old boy stumbled upon a live military mortar while digging in his backyard. The discovery led him to run back to his neighborhood with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Emergency responders from North Patrol were called shortly after noon when the boy, exploring in the 5500 block of Marconi Avenue, uncovered the dangerous object.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the object was likely an unexploded ordnance, a term that sounds alarming just by itself.

Neighbors anxiously waited outside their homes for around four hours as the explosive ordnance disposal team set to work assessing the situation.

After confirming the threat level, the U.S. Air Force came to assist. They determined that the item was a live 81mm mortar, which is, well, pretty serious.

Authorities successfully carried out the removal and destruction of the mortar, aided by the Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team based at Beale Air Force Base.

Speaking to the media the next day, the young boy, named Mateo, who had only moved in with his family two months prior, described the mortar with innocent fascination: “It looks like a bottle of missiles.”

His mother, Mirna Bermudez, expressed her worries about potential hidden explosives in their garden, sharing her concerns for the safety of her children: “They’re scared, and the kids are scared to explore the garden.”

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Sergeant Edward Igoe from the Sacramento Police Department revealed that the ammunition dates back to 1953. He mentioned that the mortar had the capacity to send fragments flying up to 1,000 feet, which is quite alarming.