From the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office: A portion of a parking lot outside businesses at 895 Harbor Boulevard in Destin has been cordoned off due to the discovery of a suspicious item and traffic on Highway 98 in the area is being diverted as a precaution.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call just before 2 p.m. from someone who spotted it south of the Target store and asked that it be checked out.
The OCSO and Destin Fire Department arrived on scene and blocked off an area of the parking lot.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad is also responding to the scene. Highway 98 is being closed to through traffic between Main Street and Gulf Shores Drive. Westbound traffic is diverted up Airport Road. Eastbound traffic is diverted to Main Street. Please avoid the area if at all possible and use caution.
We will update as developments warrant.