Teens find WWII
explosives in junkyard
LAND O' LAKES - Dustin Lyons handled a dangerous situation and didn't even know it.
"It's probably something I will never find again in my life or see something like that walking around," the 19-year-old said.
Lyons was looking around a neighborhood junkyard in Land O' Lakes, thinking of putting a bid in to clean it for an upcoming auction when he stumbled across a half buried object that caught his eye.
"I was kinda hoping it was a dud or something I was gonna get to keep it," Lyons told FOX 13. "It [was] just a cool find."
Lyons had found a World War II armor piecing shell. Excited about his unusual find, he picked it up and showed it to his younger brother Jason.
"Wow! Never would have imagined that it would still be good after that long of a time," Lyons said.
The two teen brought the explosive over to show their uncle who couldn't believe his eyes.
"It was a little disbelief on what it was and then when I finally realized what it was and how dangerous it was then I got a little excitable myself and I said we need to get away from this thing," Gerald Giddens said.
Giddens knew it was a live explosive and immediately called authorities. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office then called MacDill Airforce Base, which brought out its explosive disposal squad. While it was one exciting find everyone involved is thankful they're all still around to tell about it.
"I feel lucky that I'm still here right now, and that it didn't go off when we were carrying back over here 'cause we did hear stuff rattling around in it," Lyons said.
Talking about something that could have turned for the worst. I am glad that everyone is safe.