Wayne county officials searching for arsonist

WAYNE COUNTY, Miss. - The Wayne County Sheriff's department and state Fire Marshall are searching for an arsonist(s) who threw a gas filled whiskey bottle at the courthouse early Sunday morning.

Sheriff Jody Ashley said the department is taking this case very seriously.

"We do still have part of the bottle, we are looking for finger prints" said Sheriff Ashley.

He continued, "We are checking any kind of leads, who made the call, who actually saw the fire, if anybody had seen anything."

Sheriff Ashley mentioned that through the investigation no one has received any type of threats.

The bottle did not break through the courthouse walls, but it was projected to hit he tax assessors office. However, the bottle missed and caught the flower beds on fire.

"You know when you throw a bottle on fire on a courthouse like this trying to destroy its records, where people are working, its just very dangerous" said Sheriff Ashley.

The department is offering a $6,000 reward to anyone with information.