Authorities in Shelby County shut down part of a busy corridor Tuesday night after an explosive device was found near a popular walking trail and had to be destroyed on site, officials said. The device turned up along Germantown Parkway near Wolf River Boulevard shortly before 9 p.m., triggering an emergency response. No injuries were reported, and deputies said the immediate threat was removed once the device was dealt with.
Response and disposal
According to Action News 5, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and called in bomb technicians, who "countercharged" the device where it lay so it could be detonated safely. The outlet reports that SCSO said the device was successfully detonated and the threat eliminated. Deputies set up a perimeter, blocking nearby roads and access to the trail while technicians went to work.
What a countercharge is
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' training glossary (ATF P 7550.7) defines a countercharge as: "Counter Charge - in disposal of explosives, counter charge means placing one explosive charge against another for purposes of detonating the charges." The ATF training glossary describes this kind of controlled blast as a standard render-safe procedure used by explosive-ordnance technicians when removal or transport would be unsafe.
Where it happened
The device turned up near the Wolf River Greenway access along Germantown Parkway, a heavily used stretch for walkers, runners, and cyclists that links to Shelby Farms and Germantown. The Wolf River Conservancy notes that the corridor runs along Wolf River Boulevard and includes multiple access points close to Germantown Parkway. Authorities temporarily shut nearby trailheads and adjacent lanes during the operation while the bomb squad completed its work.
Not an isolated call
Bomb and explosive-ordnance teams in the region have been called out for similar suspicious-package situations in recent years. In June 2025, a bomb squad disabled a possible device outside a warehouse in Olive Branch, according to Action News 5. Incidents like that help explain why specialized technicians, not regular first responders, are the ones who handle suspected explosives instead of moving or tampering with them.
What to do if you see something
The Department of Homeland Security advises members of the public not to touch, move, or disturb a suspicious package and to call 911 immediately. The agency also recommends isolating the area and keeping others away. You should evacuate to a safe distance and follow instructions from law enforcement and emergency personnel while they investigate and secure the scene. Its guidance offers additional tips for staying safe in buildings and public spaces.
