State police determine item found at Lake Charles Airport to be training grenade

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The suspicious item that caused an evacuation at Lake Charles Regional Airport on Monday, April 15, has been determined to be a training grenade, according to Louisiana State Police Troop D.

The State Police Emergency Services Unit found the bulk of the explosive had been removed but that it still had a live fuse and presented a potential danger if it had been detonated.

The device has been turned over to the U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team from Fort Johnson.

During the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office’s initial investigation, the training grenade was thought to be a “novelty” item bought at a novelty shop. But the item was then transferred to state police for further investigation, according to spokeswoman Kayla Vincent.

Vincent said it currently appears there was no criminal intent but the investigation is continuing.