Discovery of Suspicious Item Closes Destin Nature Walk

July 8, 2017

First responders including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Destin Fire Department, and EMS were called out to Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk on Beach Drive in Destin Saturday morning after two people walking a dog found a small suspicious item around 9 a.m.

The boardwalk and adjacent parking lot near Joe’s Bayou were blocked off while the OCSO and Destin firefighters secured the scene, canvassed the area for additional evidence, and waited for the arrival of the Bay County Bomb Squad and its resources. The item was rendered safe by the Bomb Squad and the area re-opened around 2 p.m. No one was injured.

An active investigation involving multiple agencies is underway to determine if it was in fact a destructive device and if so, who is responsible for its construction and placement at the park.

In the meantime anyone with information is asked to contact the OCSO at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, EmeraldCoastCrime Stoppers.com, or by using the P3 Tips mobile application.

The OCSO wants to express its gratitude to those who assisted today. Additional details will be released at the appropriate time.