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A Pensacola man faces multiple felony charges after witnesses say he pointed a firearm at a group of people outside a Beal Parkway motorcycle shop near Fort Walton Beach Saturday, then tossed an explosive device as he drove away.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged 41-year old Gregory Simonds with throwing a destructive device causing bodily harm or physical damage, display of a firearm during commission of a felony, felony criminal mischief, and improper exhibit of a firearm.
While deputies were responding to the report of the armed disturbance, employees of the Jimmy John’s restaurant at 792 Beal Parkway flagged them down to report some type explosion took place near their drive-thru, breaking glass and causing minor cuts to the back of one employee.
Members of a motorcycle club say Simonds had driven up to them next door and pointed a weapon at them. They said he was wearing an Outlaw Motorcycle Club jacket and while driving away, tossed an item out of his window, which exploded near the restaurant.
Deputies spotted Simonds on Lewis Turner Boulevard a short time later and initiated a traffic stop near Highway 85 and Nomad Way. They could see a black firearm on the front passenger seat and a portion of what appeared to be an explosive device.
Members of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives responded to clear the vehicle and found four “M-type” explosive devices consisting of thick cardboard tubes containing an explosive power with a pyrotechnic fuse at one end.
Two firearms were also recovered from the car.
Simonds is currently being held in the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview.
Sheriff Eric Aden praised the quick response and teamwork of multiple agencies in the search for the suspect as well as the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives saying “this type of menacing behavior won’t stand and we will use all resources of local and federal government to protect the public from this type of violence.”
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