ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - The Army is
suspending outdoor weapons testing at a northern New Jersey base after
a wayward artillery shell fragment crashed through the roof of a home
miles away, fatally injuring a pet cat, the base's commanding officer
said Saturday.
Picatinny Arsenal officials will investigate
how a 2-pound piece of an artillery round fired from the base ended up
crashing through the roof of a Jefferson Township home Friday
afternoon, Brig. Gen. William N. Phillips said in a statement.
The
Star-Ledger of Newark says the 6-by-4-inch object landed on the bed of
a 10-year-old girl. She had left about 20 minutes earlier to go to a
sleepover at a friend's house. But the family cat was injured and had
to be put to sleep.
The house is about two and a half miles from the Picatinny Arsenal, which was conducting weapons tests at the time.
Phillips said he visited the home Friday night and apologized.
Picatinny
is the site of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering
Center, which conducts research, development and engineering for
weapons systems.
funny isit?
saw that news. actually not so funny.