Part of Sarasota beach closed after beach-goers find possible explosive device

The North Lido Beach parking lot was closed early Friday morning after Sarasota police responded to a call reporting an explosive device, but was reopened just after 11 a.m.

According to police, a portion of the beach also was closed, “out of an abundance of caution because a potentially explosive device was found this morning.”

Police arrived just after 7 a.m., including the department’s explosive materials unit, which determined the device was a military marking round.

Marking rounds are typically filled with paint cartridges to simulate the accuracy at point of impact.

The device was found near a garbage can.

Police say Air Force personnel out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa retrieved the round for disposal.

There is no indication as to how or why the round was left at Lido Beach.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 9:47 AM.