U.S. Army explosive ordnance specialists treated the aging objects as potentially live and transported them from the Wayland Street property Thursday night as Vinton Police began investigating where they came from.
VINTON, VA — An investigation that began Thursday with a report of suspicious objects at an OmniSource property in Vinton ultimately brought in U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists after authorities determined the objects could be military ordnance.
The incident unfolded throughout Thursday, October 1, at OmniSource in the 200 block of Wayland Street, prompting multiple road closures, the temporary closure of the nearby Roanoke Valley SPCA and a response involving numerous local, state and federal agencies.
By the Vinton Police Department’s 8:05 p.m. update, authorities said the objects had been assessed by U.S. Army specialists and transported away from the area.
Because of the age and weight of the ordnance, officials said the objects were handled as though they were live.
The exact type of ordnance has not yet been publicly identified, and Vinton Police are now investigating where the objects came from and how they ended up at the property.
Police have said they do not believe there was a danger to the community.
Investigation Begins at OmniSource
Vinton Police initially responded to OmniSource after receiving a report of what was first described as a suspicious package or suspicious objects on the property.
As a precaution, authorities established a safety perimeter and closed several streets in the immediate area.
The initial closures included:
- Baldwin Avenue at Light Street
- 10th Street at Daleton Avenue
- 10th Street at Hill Avenue
- Baldwin Avenue at Wayland Street
- 9th Street at Dale Avenue
The Roanoke Valley SPCA was also closed during the investigation.
Police repeatedly emphasized during the incident that there was not believed to be a danger to the surrounding community, but the closures remained in place while officers worked to determine exactly what had been found.
Investigation Narrows by 6:30 P.M.
In a 6:30 p.m. update, Vinton Police said officers were continuing to investigate both the suspicious objects and their origins.
By that point, the road closures had been reduced and officials said they were only affecting the entrance to OmniSource.
Police again said they believed there was no danger to the community.
Behind the scenes, however, the nature of the investigation was becoming clearer.
According to the later police update, conversations among law enforcement agencies led authorities to conclude the objects could potentially be military ordnance.
That determination brought the matter under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army, and Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists were contacted to examine the objects.
8:05 P.M.: U.S. Army Removes Suspected Military Ordnance
The most significant update came from the Vinton Police Department at 8:05 p.m.
Police confirmed that U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal personnel had responded and assessed the objects.
Officials did not publicly identify the specific type, age or origin of the ordnance. However, police said its age and weight were significant enough that specialists treated the objects as though they were live.
The U.S. Army then transported the ordnance to a safe location outside the immediate area.
The transport was escorted by members of the Vinton Police Department and Roanoke County Police Department.
With the objects safely removed, attention has now shifted to determining how military ordnance came to be at the OmniSource property.
Vinton Police are continuing to investigate the origin of the ordnance.
Numerous Agencies Assisted
The incident drew assistance from agencies across the Roanoke Valley and beyond.
The Town of Vinton thanked the following organizations for assisting during the response:
Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, National Park Service, Roanoke County Police Department, Roanoke County Fire Department, Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke City Emergency Management, Norfolk Southern and Prospect Pipeline.
The involvement of U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists was critical once officials determined the objects could fall under military jurisdiction.
What Exactly Was Found?
That remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.
Police have described the objects as possible military ordnance, but authorities have not publicly released photographs or identified them as mortar rounds, artillery shells, bombs or any other specific type of munition.
The condition and age of the objects contributed to the decision to handle them as potentially live ordnance rather than assuming they were inert.
Any photographs of old military shells or similar objects being used with coverage of this incident should therefore be considered illustrative only and not depictions of the actual objects recovered at OmniSource, unless authorities later release photographs or make a specific identification.
Timeline of the Vinton OmniSource Incident
Thursday — Initial Report: Vinton Police respond to OmniSource in the 200 block of Wayland Street following a report of suspicious objects on the property. Officers begin investigating what is initially described publicly as a suspicious package.
Thursday — Precautionary Closures: Police close Baldwin Avenue at Light Street, 10th Street at Daleton Avenue, 10th Street at Hill Avenue, Baldwin Avenue at Wayland Street, and 9th Street at Dale Avenue while the investigation is underway. The Roanoke Valley SPCA also closes during the incident.
6:30 p.m. — Police Update: Vinton Police report that the investigation is continuing. The remaining road closures are said to affect only the entrance to OmniSource. Authorities say they believe there is no danger to the community.
Later Thursday — Military Ordnance Suspected: Through conversations among law enforcement agencies, authorities determine the suspicious objects could possibly be military ordnance and fall within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army. Army explosive ordnance disposal specialists are called to the scene.
8:05 p.m. — Major Update: Vinton Police announce that U.S. Army EOD specialists assessed the objects. Because of their age and weight, the ordnance is treated as though it could be live.
Thursday Night — Ordnance Removed: The U.S. Army transports the objects to a safe location outside the area with an escort from Vinton Police and Roanoke County Police.
Investigation Continues: Vinton Police begin investigating the origin of the ordnance and how it came to be at OmniSource.
What We Know
The suspicious objects were considered possible military ordnance; Army EOD specialists responded; the objects were treated as potentially live due to their age and weight; and the Army removed them from the area. Police have not identified the exact type of ordnance or publicly explained where it originated.
Authorities have said they do not believe there was a danger to the community.
Vinton Voice will continue to follow the investigation and provide updates if Vinton Police release additional information regarding the type, age or origin of the ordnance.