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Man arrested after alleged Niceville bomb threat and police standoff

Shalimar's new police department building, primarily funded by federal COVID-19 relief money, opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The remodeled 1941 structure cost $508,000, less than half the lowest contractor bid.

A 38-year-old man is in custody after allegedly making bomb threats and engaging in a standoff with law enforcement that ended in arson.

  • Michael Stephen Boone was arrested early Tuesday morning following a series of events that began with threats sent via text message to a Niceville resident on Monday.

According to the Niceville Police Department, they received notification of written threats sent from several phone numbers to a local citizen at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024. The messages reportedly included threats to kill and a claim that an explosive device had been planted at 1405 Beaver Run Rd.

In response to the bomb threat, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, FBI, and ATF were called to the scene to ensure the area was clear of any explosive devices.

Following an investigation led by the NPD Criminal Investigations Division, Boone was identified as the suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Boone on charges including aggravated stalking, electronic threat to kill or do bodily harm, threat of death or serious bodily harm to law enforcement, and false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction.

When deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve the arrest warrant early Tuesday morning, Boone reportedly barricaded himself inside his residence and threatened to shoot law enforcement officers, according to the Niceville Police Department.

  • In an attempt to escape, he reportedly started a fire inside the residence before fleeing. He was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest.

Boone is currently being held at the Walton County Jail. In addition to the original charges, he now faces charges of arson, obstructing, threats to law enforcement, battery on a law enforcement officer, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

The Niceville Police Department expressed gratitude to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Niceville Fire Department, and Okaloosa County EMS for their support during the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact Investigator Carlos Poveda at (850) 279-6436 ext. 1208.

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Community Comments

“Thanks Jared for a concise factual article. Too much false narratives floating around social media.”
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“Thee is no such a thing as affordable housing for over half the people that live in this area. People can’t afford 300, 400 or 500k for a house. Build...”
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“That portion has been closed because of wild hogs destroying it, I believe”
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“Got make up for the 10 mill purchase of the SS United States and getting fined 1k a day while it still sits in port”
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“Follow the $. It's highly probable the developers have a military connection. And "affordable housing" is a sad case of smoke and mirrors.”
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“Why not give the actual location of the new school, but from the little you gave on that point, I'm "assuming" that it will, like just about nearly every school...”
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“Is HCA Twin Cities able to provide cardiac care?”
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“It is amazing on one hand Walton county will purchase 2,000 acres for a state park and claim it is all about the enviroment amd protecting the Florida Black Bear...”
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“Here goes all our natural Woods & Wild Life . Next thing you know they'll be building Businesses. And Gas Stations . And Big Houses .”
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“It would be nice to know where it will be located. What about designs and will it have primitive camping or a combination of RV sites. What, no artist rendition?...”
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