AZLE — A Springtown man was arrested by Tarrant County Sheriff’s deputies in Azle after being found with a Molotov cocktail in his truck.
Murphy Walls was pulled over by deputies just after 2 p.m. in the 900 block of Northwest Parkway Jan. 24.
Deputies reported the man acting strangely and conducted a search of his car. A Molotov cocktail was recovered and the Tarrant County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Fort Worth Fire Department Bomb Squad, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene.
Authorities took custody of the device, rendering it safe.
“This arrest was the result of excellent police work and attention to detail on the part of the deputy. His investigative instincts led to the arrest of someone who could have potentially caused great harm,” Sheriff Bill Waybourn said in a press release. “We commend our deputy for his dedication to keeping the citizens of Tarrant County safe, and we appreciate our law enforcement partners for their quick response.”
Molotov cocktails are considered a destructive device under the National Firearms Act and are subject to regulation by the ATF.
Possessing an unregistered destructive device is a thirddegree felony under federal law and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Walls, age 27, was arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. In Tarrant County, Walls has previously been charged for unauthorized use of a vehicle, theft of property and unlawful restraint in 2022.
At time of press deadline, Murphy is being held at the Tarrant County Corrections Center with a $5,000 bond.
Authorities have not commented on what Walls may have intended to do with the Molotov cocktail.
Murphy Walls COURTESY PHOTO
