On Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Ronnie Fields reported that on Jan. 30, at approximately 9:30 a.m., deputies from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office responded with firefighters to a report of a woods fire in Eagle Springs. Upon arrival, deputies determined that the fires were intentionally set following a reported domestic dispute over property.
In addition to allegedly setting multiple fires in the wooded area, the suspect had also allegedly set fire to a structure on the property.
According to a press release issued by the Sheriff’s Department, deputies were able to quickly identify the suspect as Ronnie Boone, 37, of Eagle Springs. As law enforcement arrived, Boone barricaded himself inside a building on the property, using available materials to block the door and prevent entry.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) assisted in negotiation efforts, but Boone refused to surrender. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office activated its Sheriff’s Response Team (SRT), which deployed its BearCat tactical vehicle—acquired in the fall of 2024—to breach the barricaded building.
While the BearCat has been used in previous operations, this marks the first time it has been utilized for the extrication of a barricaded person. The vehicle was successfully used to clear the blocked door, prompting Boone to surrender without further incident.
Boone is facing charges of felony second-degree arson, burning personal property, setting fire to woodlands, and resisting a public officer. He was taken into custody and committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 6 in Moore County District Court.
Photo: Ronnie Boone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Photo provided by Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
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Contributed. Photo courtesy Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
