AKRON, Ohio — A woman walking near the Summit Metro Parks Freedom Trail in Akron found a suspicious bag that authorities later determined held two improvised explosive devices.
According to Akron police, the woman contacted the department after finding the bag around noon near railroad tracks that parallel the trail in the 200 block of N. Adams Street near her home. Officers responded, and they called in the Akron Fire Department and the Summit County Bomb Squad to investigate.
"It's got BB's all over it and it's got a wick sticking out of it. I'm like, Oh hell no, this could kill somebody," the woman told a 911 operator.
Police said that upon inspection, the devices were deemed to be functional.
Inspector Bill Holland from the Summit County Sheriff's Office confirmed shrapnel was attached to the bombs.
"If it's got shrapnel on it, generally the intent of the shrapnel is to harm someone," Holland said. "It can be very crude and very rudimentary and it could kill somebody."
Authorities are working to determine who placed the bag in the park.
"The greater question is the who. Who is placing that there and why? That's something we want to know, and obviously, we're going to take steps to patrol and check areas to make sure no one is leaving devices that would be otherwise suspicious," said Akron Lt. Michael Miller.
A similar incident occurred on April 9, when a man who was walking in the 1300 block of Goodyear Boulevard came across what he thought was a possible explosive device. Police said that item was a false alarm. It's not known if the two incidents are connected.
Holland said the ATF and the FBI were notified of the incidents and may assist in the investigation.
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