Gulfport explosion spurs investigation

GULFPORT, MS ( WALA) - When the family heard a boom from the backyard, they figured it was a leaky propane tank. Instead, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives said it was something far more dangerous.

"Some of them were cone shaped; and quite simply, they are bombs,” said ATF Resident Agent Joel L. Lee

The ATF is investigating how the military-grade munitions found their way to a backyard in Gulfport.

They said they aren't ruling out anything.

 “We are, right as we speak, covering every angle of this investigation. We are going to follow where the facts take us,” Lee said.

The family said 33-year-old Dale Johnson wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. 

They said he was using a torch to cut what he thought was scrap metal.  After the explosion, family friend Lance Looney said he heard the explosion, and Johnson’s cry for help.

“I got down and took my shirt and put it over top of him around his neck where he was bleeding real bad,” Looney said.

 Hours later, there was a different type of explosion.

Authorities said they destroyed the munitions in a controlled explosion leaving the backyard with two deep holes and plenty of unanswered questions.

Johnson is in serious condition at USA Medical Center.

If you know where the explosives came from, Call the Gulfport Police Department at (228) 868-5900.