Rocket-propelled weapon found in home’s backyard

Police cordoned off the 2300 block of East Gordon Avenue on Spokane’s near north side Thursday night when a resident doing yard work dug up what was believed to be a rocket-propelled military weapon in his backyard.

The police bomb squad planned to remove the rusty weapon about 11:30 p.m. and explode it at a disposal site.

Officer William Hager said the device had deteriorated to the point that it had no identifying marks, and investigators didn’t know whether the weapon was capable of firing.

He said the device was about 14 inches long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter, with fins on one end. Another resident of the neighborhood reported having found mortar shells in his yard in the past.