Explosive shell found in San Miguel

The San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Department reported discovering an explosive shell at a parolee’s house in San Miguel Tuesday evening.

Neighbors were likely unaware there was an unexploded WWII bomb at this house until they were evacuated

According to SLO Sheriff’s Department, they were conducting a parole and probation search when deputies discovered a 155 mm artillery shell with the fuse cap still on it. Deputies said they found the shell in the side yard of a home at 611 Poquita Lane in San Miguel.

The SLO County Sheriff’s Bomb Task Force and the Explosive Ordnance Team from Vandenberg AFB were called in to analyze the shell. Sheriffs say the team determined the shell to be from 1947 with the original fuse still on it. As a precaution, about a dozen homes in the area were evacuated. The artillery shell was transported to Vandenberg AFB to be disposed of properly.

According to the sheriff’s department, no one was injured and residents were allowed back into their homes. Deputies arrested a resident, Jonnie Loudermilk, of the home at 611 Poquita. Loudermilk was cited for charges not related to the artillery shell, according to deputies.

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