On November 9, 2023, Panama City Police investigating a fire at the Bay County Library learned of a second fire at W. 12^th Court. A third fire was reported three hours later on W. 11^th Street where someone set a door wreath on fire. A fourth fire involving a carport was reported 10 minutes later on Buena Vista Boulevard.

Before the first fire was set, the PCPD was investigating a runaway 16-year-old. Hunter Glenn McNeil left the school grounds on Thursday afternoon and never returned. Surveillance footage put McNeil at the fires after he was reported missing.

Detectives also investigated two vehicle burglaries in which a wallet with credit cards and a Chrome laptop were taken. The owner of the stolen credit cards reported receiving an alert of an attempted use at an 11^th Street convenience store early Friday morning.

When McNeil was located inside the Bay County Library, he was in possession of the laptop and a lighter. Officers charged McNeil with several counts, including arson, burglary, and fraudulent use of a credit card.