Two Suspects Sought in Covington Walmart Store Fire

7:48 PM UPDATE: A 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy, both from Covington, were identified, arrested by  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies, booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on one count each of Aggravated Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson and Manufacture and Possession of a Delayed Action Incendiary Device.

Original Story

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is actively seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with a fire inside the Covington Walmart store that had hundreds of customers inside.

Around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday (June 4, 2023), St. Tammany Fire District #12 responded to a call for a fire inside the Walmart store located in the 800 block of North Highway 190 in Covington. The fire consumed an aisle of products in the automotive section. The store, which had at least 200 customers inside at the time, had to be evacuated. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Following an assessment of the scene, including obtaining video evidence, deputies determined the fire was intentionally set and are now looking for two suspects.

In the attached surveillance photograph, one unidentified male, with brown hair, is seen wearing a light blue t-shirt, dark shorts, and black and white sandals with white, calf-length socks. The second unidentified male, with dirty blond hair, is seen wearing a dark gray t-shirt with khaki-colored shorts, and brown sandals with white, calf-length socks. Both suspects have the same unidentified logo on the front left chest of their t-shirts.

The suspects are seen leaving the store’s parking lot in what appears to be a dark-colored, small model SUV headed north on Highway 190.

The SFM is asking anyone with information about these individuals’ identities and whereabouts to contact our Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221 or share the information through our online tip form found at lasfm.org.