Man faces multiple charges in attempted arson of Boone County Courthouse

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man faces multiple felony charges after being accused of trying to use an improvised explosive to set the Boone County Courthouse on fire.

Boone County prosecutors charged Dominique Neighbors, 36, with a count each of second-degree arson, first-degree terroristic threats, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Neighbors' probable cause statement said a Columbia police officer saw him behind the courthouse in the area of Eighth and Ash streets on Tuesday.

Police said Neighbors was holding a Molotov cocktail and trying to light it when officers ordered him to put it down. Court documents say Neighbors complied and he was arrested at the scene.

Police said the bottle Neighbors had held was filled with gasoline and an unknown oil. A rag sticking out of the top of the bottle had burn marks from where Neighbors had tried to light it, documents said.

Officers asked Neighbors why he was going to throw the explosive at the building to which he replied, "because I can." Police said in the probable cause statement that Neighbors pointed at the courthouse and said he wanted to burn the building down.

Later in the court documents, officers asked Neighbors again why he was going to burn the building and he said, "it's a peaceful protest."

As of Thursday, Neighbors was in Boone County Jail custody being held without bond.