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Suspect used incendiary device outside Boone County Courthouse, sheriff’s office says

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A court marshal and Columbia Police Department officer arrested a man who threw an incendiary device at the front of the Boone County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Facebook post that Nicholas A. Walters, 39, of Columbia threw "a device that can ... best be described as similar to a Molotov cocktail" near the front door courthouse door. A person was leaving the building at the same time but the fireball did not injure them seriously, the post says.

A court marshal and CPD officer caught up to Walter after a foot chase and arrested him, the post says. Walters had suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on him, the sheriff's office wrote.

Walter was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson, second-degree property damage, fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, drug possession and paraphernalia possession.

Walters had been given a trespass warning after an incident at the courthouse Monday, the sheriff's office says. Investigators believe that motivated Tuesday's attack.

Charges were not available in online court records Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy Court Administrator for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court Derek Hux told ABC 17 News via email on Tuesday night he is thankful for law enforcement's help in keeping people at the courthouse safe.

"We are thankful for the fast action of our court marshals today and we appreciate Columbia Police’s assistance in apprehending the suspect. We are relieved that the public was not hurt," the statement reads.

Article Topic Follows: Crime

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Matthew Sanders

Matthew Sanders is the digital content director at ABC 17 News.

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