Two rocket launchers found in dumpster near California middle school

‘Today two AT-4 launchers and a MK69 practice grenade were found by construction crews in the county area of Winchester,’ says the Riverside County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad

Construction workers found two bazookas and a grenade in a dumpster in Winchester, California (Riverside County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad)

Police found two rocket launchers in a dumpster in California – just a few hundred yards from a school.

Authorities say construction workers discovered two AT-4 launchers and a MK69 practice grenade in a trash receptacle in Winchester, just 300 feet from Margarita Middle School.

“While all items were expended, these items do not go into dumpsters,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad said in a statement on Wednesday. “These items are ‘generally’ NOT legal to possess (there are some limited exceptions).”

Despite the dumpster being so close, police say the middle school was never under threat.

“Although there is a school located directly behind the concerned residence, a school was not directly involved in the incident,” Sgt Edward Soto of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department told WAMU.

The bomb squad’s statement includes photos of the two bazookas and one grenade. Though they’d already been “expended” – meaning they could no longer be fired – authorities say such items should be checked and disposed of by professionals.

“We urge the public to call law enforcement if these items are found or if you would like to dispose of them legally,” the squad said. “Oftentimes they are found when cleaning out a passed relative’s belongings. We would be happy to come make sure they are safe and to dispose of them properly (returned to the military).”

Though the laws on such weapons vary from state to state, in California it is illegal to possess what the National Firearms Act calls “destructive devices” – which include grenades and bazookas.

This story was updated on 1 April 2022 to remove a reference to an individual the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department originally said had been arrested in connection to the weapons, but later said was not involved.