Columbia [MO] man arrested for alleged arson at Boone County Courthouse

A Columbia man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly throwing an incendiary device described as being similar to a Molotov cocktail at the front door of the Boone County Courthouse, igniting a fireball as someone was exiting the building.

According to a Facebook post from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 12:03 p.m. at the courthouse on East Walnut Street. A court marshal pursued the suspect on foot, with assistance from a Columbia Police Department officer nearby.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Nicholas Walters, resisted arrest before being taken into custody, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies reported that Walters was found in possession of what is believed to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Read more: KOMU