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Man detained after allegedly throwing explosive device at Jimmy John’s in Fort Walton Beach

A man allegedly pointed a rifle at people and threw an explosive device in a Fort Walton Beach Jimmy John's parking lot Saturday, leading to a multi-agency investigation.

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Pensacola man Saturday after he allegedly threatened people with a rifle and threw a small explosive device outside a Jimmy John’s restaurant.

  • Deputies responded to 788 Beal Parkway around 2:30 p.m. following reports of an armed disturbance. 

Witnesses said the suspect pointed a rifle at people in the parking lot before throwing what was described as a small explosive device in their direction.

No injuries were reported, and the building sustained no significant damage from the incident.

Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle near one of Eglin’s gates on State Road 85 north shortly after the incident.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in the ongoing investigation.

2 Responses

  1. 85 north was a mess. I left Wright at 6:15 pm going up Lewis Turner. Traffic started backing up about 1 mile before the intersection with 85, so I got in the right turn lane, and as I turned, I looked at 85 north. Totally blocked with traffic cones and large vehicles, flashing lights just up the road. Went to Twisted Grape for an hour to get something to eat. Left Shalimar at 7:40pm and traffic was STILL bad. Didn’t get to Valp until 8:15 pm. So 5 plus hours of traffic??!!!

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