Hand Grenade Found in Donation Bin at Peachtree City Ministry Removed Safely

PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia – Police safely removed a hand grenade discovered among donated items Friday morning at a Peachtree City ministry.

According to the Peachtree City Police Department, officers responded May 29 to A Better Way Ministries in the 300 block of Dividend Drive after employees found what they believed was a hand grenade while sorting donations.

Before officers arrived, employees had moved the item outside the building to a remote area of the property.

Officers determined the object appeared to be a genuine hand grenade but were unable to confirm whether it was inert. As a precaution, the area was secured and the Clayton County EOD Unit was called to assist.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians responded and confirmed the device was a hand grenade. However, they could not immediately determine whether it was inactive. The grenade was collected and safely removed for disposal.

Investigators later determined there was no indication the device had been placed at the ministry with malicious intent.

Police traced the donation to a local family and learned the grenade had been kept for decades as a military-era keepsake. Authorities said it was inadvertently included with a large quantity of donated items and was not discovered until the donations were being processed.

Police also addressed rumors circulating online, stating there was no evidence involving improvised explosive devices, threats, suspicious notes, secondary devices, or any other criminal activity connected to the incident.

No injuries were reported, and officials said the situation was resolved safely.