Live hand grenade found in donation bin at Goodwill in Florida

A Goodwill in Palatka, Florida, was evacuated after a live hand grenade was found inside a donation bin. The grenade was safely retrieved and detonated.

A live hand grenade was discovered inside a donation bin at a Goodwill store in Florida, according to police.

Authorities immediately secured the scene in and evacuated the Goodwill in Palatka, a city about 50 miles south of Jacksonville.

The device was then safely retrieved and remotely detonated in a secure location by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.

The explosive appeared to be a donated item, a spokesperson for Goodwill, Liz Morgan, told First Coast News. An employee discovered it in a bin near the donation door, Morgan said.

This isn’t the first time such a weapon has been found at a Goodwill in Florida. In 2018, several grenades were discovered after being donated to a Goodwill store on Jacksonville’s Southside, according to Morgan.

"We want to remind the community to thoroughly check all items before donating, ensuring that hazardous items, such as explosives, firearms, or ammunition, are not accidentally included," the Palatka Police Department wrote in a statement.

"If you ever locate something that appears to be a hand grenade or other explosive device, do not touch or handle it," the statement added. "Immediately evacuate the area and call law enforcement."