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Update: Over 50 Shots Fired Into Vehicle As Former Pine Forest High Quarterback Killed; Sheriff Pleads For Information
July 1, 2021
A former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback was shot and found dead in a vehicle crash early Thursday morning.
A vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine at Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Drive about 1 a.m. First responders discovered two adult males with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle.
Ladarius Clardy was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger was transported to an area hospital suffering from gunshot wounds; an update on his condition was not available.
Sheriff Chip Simmons said Thursday afternoon that over 50 shots were fired into the vehicle, most through the driver’s door.
During an afternoon news conference, Simmons was joined by Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, Pensacola Councilman Delarian Wiggins and Pastor Joseph Marshall of St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church.
“This is not just a statistic. This is a son. This is a friend. This is a teammate, and enough is enough, Simmons said. “We cannot sit here and just keep saying another senseless act of violence.”
“We need your help. We want to know what you know,” Simmons continued, imploring for anyone with information of surveillance video from the area to come forward. He said Clardy’s vehicle was a 2016 black four-door Honda that might appear on someone’s surveillance video. “There are enough people around this town that know what happened.”
“This is not someone who is a loose kid out there running the streets,” Pastor Marshall said. “His family is very active. He attends our church, youth department, singing, participating in our entire youth department. I can’t express enough.”
“This is one of our children in Escambia County,” the sheriff said.
Simmons said the agency “has all major crimes units and numerous other units actively investigating this homicide”.
Clardy was 2020 graduate of Pine Forest High School where was a standout quarterback. He holds the Pine Forest Eagles’ all-time passing record, and he went on to play quarterback at Kennesaw State University.
Anyone with information or video is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (850) 433-STOP. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest of the suspect.
Comments
23 Responses to “Update: Over 50 Shots Fired Into Vehicle As Former Pine Forest High Quarterback Killed; Sheriff Pleads For Information”
I did not know this young man, but as a mother my heart breaks. Prayers for his family at the very difficult time.
Heavenly Father, we call on you to guide Sheriff Simmons in his duties, bless him and his Deputies father, give them the courage and strength to perform their Sworn duty to protect the citizens of Escambia County as well as themselves, guide them father to the murderers of this young man and bring peace to everyone affected by this violent crime, in the name of our lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!!!
The last sheriff we had was a ego monster. Simmons wants what is best for Escambia County, and will use all resources available to get this solved. He is a community man, Morgan not so much. So sad for this you g man and his family to pick up the pieces
I’ve spoken to several people that knew this young man, all of which said if any trouble even looked like it was gonna occur he left and wanted nothing to do with and only focused on his future and hopefully a great career athlete and a positive role model for others. And the people that surrounded all says the same thing, Something like this doesn’t happen and then not spoken about someone has heard something somewhere some how, so model yourself after this young man and do the right thing and come forward with information, even if your the guilty one, because there is a witness to the horrific murder and he will pull through because everyone is praying for his complete recovery, so he shall.
@Karma
How should my community of Barrineau Park pull together ? My community doesn’t have these “senseless acts of violence “. I would say the community should prepare themselves for when it does come here.
No BAMA someone just needs to step up and tell who fired 50 rds into that car.
Sheriff Simmons has re-established the cooperative relationship with the various federal agencies that DK posted about earlier: ATF, DEA, US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, FBI and others. Again, the previous sheriff pulled the ECSO from any federal agency. ECSO deputies were prohibited from working with any of these agencies and subject to disciplinary action if they exchanged any information. These federal agencies have resources that can and will help with the violent crime that has become too common in Escambia County. It sure is great to have a qualified law enforcement professional as sheriff, that understands that these federal agencies are willing and ready to help.
Word on the street is this was all over a dice game and money that went on just earlier. What is wrong with everyone? It’s like people are just going crazy, no respect for others or human life, just taking and killing. It is just so sad.
Welcome to the “new Chicago”
there is more gang like murders coming……….
I am literally speechless, this crime is PERSONAL for someone to fire 50+shots, this has got to stop, he was a bright young man with a very bright future. This is a very sad loss to alot of people. We have got to get justice for this young man. Not just the black community, every community needs to pull together and stop these senseless acts of violence. It’s time to stand strong together and end violence, that’s the only way to stop it. My condolences go out to this young man’s family. May God be by your side through your grievance process. Let this statement sink in.
@ A.ALEX “Rewards for this type(murder) should be a standard set mininum fee. $10K.”
Would you mind telling everyone on here how your analysis of 10k was derived.
If you are a good person. You would take ZERO $ and require nothing in return for doing so. Thank you so much Alex Karen!
The murderous scum that is responsible has no conscience or morals, but there are those that are out there in the community that know who did this, maybe even know who is harboring the killers. Do the right thing, turn the murderer(s) in. Somebody knows, do the right thing…
This young man had a bright future! He comes from an amazing, God loving family. His mother, Tracey, is one of the most respected and loved people in our critical care unit. She never missed one of JD’s games. She loved this boy with all her heart and always will. Please prayer for the Police to bring justice for JD. What a senseless act!
We love you Tracey Marshall!!!
Rewards for this type(murder) should be a standard set mininum fee. $10K.
Its time for the black community to START WORKING WITH THE POLICE to clean up. Speak up. A pistol magazine holds 10-15 rounds…so they either reloaded or had magazines to spare or three shooter…among other combinations…
LD was a remarkable young man. He was always positive, building others up, sticking up for others and doing the work it takes to become a leader and a success. This death is a tragedy for the entire community.
We have to stop this, someone knows what happened here 50+ shots at a major intersection does not go unnoticed. We have to empower law enforcement to do what it takes to stop this senseless violence. This appears to have been a Great Young Man hopefully justice will be served
Time to call for some help Pensacola is going down the drain,ATF DEA US Marshals
Unlike the previous sheriff, you can feel the compassion Sheriff Simmons has for the community and victims of crime. He speaks from his heart and hopefully his plan for increased community engagement will help solve crimes, that unfortunately continue to plague our county. A promising young life ended before he had the time to do even greater things than he already had.
Money talks. Someone with deep pockets needs to offer a reward.
So sad. Such a great kid. Always positive, worked hard…
He will be missed by everyone that met him.
Rest in Peace LD
All that talent and so much life before him. Just sad. Prayers for family and friends of Ladarius my heart goes out to you.
When nightmares become reality. I wish this was fake news!
LD was a super guy! He had the world in hands! So many people loved LD and looked up to him! He will never be forgotten.