Jan. 21--GULFPORT -- A Gulfport man remained in serious condition Friday as federal agents tried to find out where the military-grade munitions came from that wounded him and led to planned explosions by an Army unit from Fort Polk, La.
Dale Ray Johnson, 33, was being treated in a burn unit at the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile following an explosion Thursday afternoon on Saucier Lane in Gulfport.
A federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives described the discovery of "multiple, significant" munitions as "a very volatile situation."
Joel Lee, resident agent in charge of ATF's Gulfport field office, said the Biloxi bomb squad helped maintain control of items found on Saucier Lane until an explosive-ordnance disposal team arrived to detonate the remaining devices.
About two dozen neighbors were evacuated overnight while preparations were made for back-to-back explosions in holes dug on the property where the ammo was found. Residents several miles away reported hearing the explosions about 3:15 a.m. Friday.
A low cloud cover amplified the sounds, Lee said.
"Had it been a nice, clear, starry night, it wouldn't have been such an environmental issue," said Lee.
"Between the Army EOD unit and the Biloxi bomb squad, we had the top experts and we felt very good about the team we had assembled to deal with this issue."
He declined to discuss initial reports that Johnson was cutting on an anti-tank round when it exploded, or a relative's belief Johnson planned to sell it for scrap.
"We are trying to find out exactly what happened and the only way to do that is to have an unbiased and thorough investigation," Lee said.
Anti-tank rounds are high-powered ammo that can penetrate tanks and other armored vehicles. The explosive devices are not legally available for commercial or personal use.
Military-grade munitions are used in training at Camp Shelby. A spokesman there could not be reached for comment.
The two men who drove Johnson to a fire station for help about 1:30 p.m. Thursday have not been identified.
Lee said no arrests have been made, but ATF will be looking at federal laws, such as those that apply to possession of unregistered explosive devices.
About the burn victim
Johnson's immediate relatives could not be reached for comment on the extent of his injuries. Public-safety officials have said he had serious wounds to his face, chest and hands.
Johnson is on probation for possession of precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture meth. He was convicted in Stone County Circuit Court in May and is due to finish probation in 2014. State prison records show he was convicted of a burglary in Perry County in 1999 and of drug possession in Harrison County in 2002.
A relative by marriage owns and lives on the property where the explosions took place. Nelson Saucier said he was shocked to receive a phone call about Johnson's injuries Thursday and by the sudden presence of dozens of first-responders, including bomb-squad members who broke into a camper on his property.
"Dale Ray has stayed here off and on, but he's been staying with a girlfriend," Saucier said. "I didn't even know he was out here. He and his family for a good while have cut up scrap metal for sale. I think that is what he was doing when it blew up."
Saucier said he had no idea dangerous activity was taking place on his property.
A large pile of dirt sat beside a hole, where equipment was used to dig up space to detonate the munitions. The explosions left a hole about 4 feet deep by 7 feet wide.
Saucier said the detonations blew off part of his shed.
Dog named Buckshot hurt
One of Saucier's dogs, nicknamed Buckshot by a grandson, had a minor injury on his head. The dog apparently was struck by shrapnel in the first explosion.
Saucier shook his head and leaned over his fence Friday as several cars drove up the dead-end road. The drivers slowed down to look and turned around in a cul-de-sac.
"All I ever wanted to do was stay in my own little corner of the world, come home from work, go to bed and get up and do it all over again," Saucier said. "I can't believe this happened."
Copyright 2012 - The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss.
