By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



On March 4, Trafford Police officers located what appeared to be an explosive device at a gas station on East Commercial Avenue, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Trafford Police contacted the Sheriff’s Office the following morning, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Randy Christian.

A bomb technician with the sheriff’s office responded and took control of the device.

Reports initially called the explosive a pipe bomb, but Christian said on Thursday that the device “does not have the characteristics of a pipe bomb.”

The Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad disassembled the device and determined that it was capable of exploding if ignited.

It would have had the “impact of a small hand grenade, capable of causing severe damage or loss of life if detonated,” said Christian.

The explosive is the second such device found in north Alabama this week. Another one was found in Cullman County on Monday, according to published reports.

Trafford Police Chief Larry Evans said the explosive device was the first such device found in Trafford.

Both he and Christian encouraged the public to always call local police if they find anything that could be an explosive device. “They should not be handled under any circumstances,” said Christian.

The investigation is ongoing. There were no suspects or known motives by press time.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 325-1450.