Pensacola Police Arrest Final Suspect In July 5 Downtown Shooting That Killed One, Injured Six
July 22, 2026
The Pensacola Police Department has made its final arrest in connection with a July 5 downtown shooting that claimed one life and injured six others.
PPD said early Wednesday afternoon that 17-year-old Marley Foster has been charged with possession of a weapon by a Florida delinquent and firing a weapon in public.
A round from Foster’s weapon did strike one individual, who suffered non-life threatening injuries. The victim declined to press charges.
“This investigation is coming to a close, and we do not anticipate any further charges being filed,” Mike Wood, PPD spokesman, said.
The suspected gunman who fired the fatal shot in a Fourth of July weekend mass shooting in downtown Pensacola died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on July 16 as law enforcement officers attempted to serve a warrant.
Police said they were attempting to serve a manslaughter warrant on 20-year-old Trevon Bradley for the shooting death of Philip Deon Monte Shepard Jr.
U.S. Marshals knocked on the door of a local apartment and announced they had a warrant for Bradley. A female and a child who were inside the apartment were allowed to exit safely, leaving Bradley alone inside. Law enforcement ordered Bradley to come out and surrender, but he refused to comply. Shortly after, gunshots were heard coming from inside the residence.
Officers deployed a remote-controlled camera into the apartment, where they discovered that Bradley had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pensacola Police noted the investigation into the case is ongoing.
The tragic update follows a complex investigation into the July 5 melee that left Shepard dead and six others injured.
Prior to July 17’s events, police made two other adult arrests in connection with the gunfire. Nicholas Safford, 26, of Daphne, Alabama, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, firing a weapon in public, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Surveillance video from the scene captured Safford running toward Shepard multiple times and arguing with him before firing a weapon in Shepard’s direction. Ten shell casings recovered at the scene were linked to Safford’s gun. While Safford is accused of firing toward the victims, autopsy results indicated the fatal shot that killed Shepard came from a different angle.
Lillian Meyers, 25, was also arrested in connection with the incident. Surveillance footage showed Meyers taking the handgun from Safford while he was being treated for injuries after the shooting. Meyers later turned the 9mm handgun over to officers at her apartment and was charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact.
Authorities previously arrested a 16-year-old juvenile, Kanye Walker, who is accused of handling the firearm that escalated the confrontation. Surveillance video allegedly showed Walker handing the handgun to Safford during the argument. Walker has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom previously stated that at least three firearms were discharged during the mass shooting. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to piece together the events of the incident.
Pictured: Safford and Meyers.
Cantonment Man Charged After I-10 Motorcycle Chase
July 22, 2026
A Cantonment man was arrested after allegedly leading state law enforcement on a motorcycle pursuit along Interstate 10 in Escambia County.
Blake Dylan Rasmussen, 23, is facing a felony charge of fleeing or eluding police, along with a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.
According to an arrest report, an officer with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was traveling westbound on I-100 near the Nine Mile Road exit when a red motorcycle passed on the right. The rider, later identified as Rasmussen, cut off the officer, nearly striking the cruiser’s front corner and the rear passenger side of a nearby vehicle.
The motorcycle was observed swerving across both lanes, causing sparks to fly from underneath the bike. When the officer activated emergency lights and sirens, Rasmussen allegedly refused to pull over, continuing for roughly a mile as the officer attempted to catch up.
The pursuit came to an end at mile marker 3 when Rasmussen attempted to execute a U-turn in the grassy median. The motorcycle tipped over and became stuck in the grass, allowing the officer to detain him.
Following the stop, the Florida Highway Patrol performed a breath alcohol test, which registered samples of 0.127 and 0.119, both of which are over the legal limit.
Rasmussen was released from jail on a $3,500 bond.
Wet Wednesday, Thanks To Tropical Storm Bertha
July 22, 2026
Local heavy rainfall is possible on Wednesday due to Tropical Storm Bertha.
For the latest on Tropical Storm Bertha, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers likely before 10am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. High near 88. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 77. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Florida Dept. Of Education May Direct Local School Districts To Address AI
July 22, 2026
The Florida Department of Education is poised to direct all school districts to incorporate rules regarding artificial intelligence in their internet safety guidelines.
DOE will discuss the proposed rule change at a workshop on Aug. 5, according to state documents.
The department is citing Florida laws requiring adherence to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and protecting private student information.
Florida law prevents an “operator” of an internet website “used primarily for K-12 purposes” from knowingly collecting and sharing data on students. That data includes biometric information, disabilities, socioeconomic information, food purchases, political affiliations, religious information, text messages, documents, student identifiers, search activity, photos, voice recordings or geolocation information.
The state Senate attempted to pass an AI Bill of Rights this year, but the measure failed after the House blocked multiple attempts to get it to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.
The proposal called in part for establishing parents’ rights to control children’s interactions with AI chatbots, prohibiting state agencies from contracting with AI firms tied to a “foreign country of concern,” and setting rules about the unauthorized use of people’s names, images or likenesses.
by the News Service of Florida
Several Escambia County Voting Precincts Have Moved
July 22, 2026
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender has announced several polling place location changes for the 2026 elections.
Polling Location Changes For 2026
Voters in the following precincts will be mailed a notice of Permanent Polling Location Change and a new Voter Information Card for the following locations:
- Precinct 5 (Former Location – Wilde Lake Church): New Location – Klondike Church of Pensacola, 7201 Klondike Rd, Pensacola
- Precinct 49 (Former Location – Grace Lutheran/CareerSource Escarosa): New Location – Asbury Place, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Precinct 77 (Former Location – Pensacola State College, Warrington): New Location – Lexington Terrace Community Center, 700 South Old Corry Field Rd, Pensacola
- Precinct 98 (Former Location – St. John Divine Baptist Church): New Location – Bethel AME Church, 511 Woodland Dr, Pensacola
- Precinct 101 (Former Location – Plainview Baptist Church): New Location – Hadji Temple, 800 West Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola
- Precinct 106 (Former Location – Grace Lutheran/CareerSource Escarosa): New Location – Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North 9th Ave, Pensacola
Temporary Changes for 2026
Voters will be mailed a notice of Temporary Polling Location Change at least 14 days before each election for the following locations:
- Precinct 14 (Permanent Location – Fricker Resource Center): Temporary Location – Pensacola Main Library, 239 North Spring St, Pensacola
- Precinct 70 (Permanent Location – Burgess Road Baptist Church): Temporary Location – The Gathering Place at Pensacola Christian College, 115 St. John St, Pensacola
Changes from 2025 Special Election
A reminder that the following precincts were permanently changed during the 2025 Special Election:
- Precinct 22 (Former Location – Century Town Hall): New Location – Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Blvd, Century
- Precinct 24 (Former Location – Warrington Church): New Location – St. John’s Episcopal Church, 401 Live Oak Ave, Pensacola
Returning to Precinct
After being at the Pensacola Main Library for the 2024 and 2025 Elections, Precinct 31 is returning to its permanent location at Christ Church.
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Precinct 31: Christ Church Pensacola, 18 West Wright St, Pensacola
Pictured : Precinct 22 was moved from the Century Town Hall to the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century in 2025. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Kids’ College Students Learn About Government, Share Ideas For The Future
July 22, 2026
Participants from the Century Kids’ College at Pensacola State College visited Century Town Hall on Tuesday to learn more about how local government works.
The students met with council members John Bass and Sparkie Harrison, and Town Clerk Carrie Moore.
The children said their favorite town-related activities include the parks and splash pad, and many attended the July 3 fireworks sponsored in part by the town.
As for the future, they agreed that Century needs a pool and a place for video gaming.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wednesday Updates: Tropical Storm Bertha
July 22, 2026
Tropical Storm Bertha continues move west across the Gulf. The latest information is in the graphics on this page.
Update: Jay Operations Manager Suspended Following Sex Offender Violation Arrest
July 22, 2026
Following her arrest on a sex offender violation charge, the Town of Jay’s operations manager has been suspended without pay.
April Burford Watson, 50, was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail at approximately 10:47 a.m. on Monday. She is charged with a felony sex offender violation for failure to register as required. She was released from jail late Tuesday night on a $2,500 bond.
At the regularly scheduled Jay Town Council meeting Monday night, she was suspended without pay.
According to a statement from Town Clerk Donna Bullock: “The Town of Jay is aware that April Watson was arrested on July 20, 2026. At this time, the Town has limited information about the charges against Ms. Watson or any of the facts and circumstances which led to this arrest. The Town recognizes that any information represents only one side of any story and does not necessarily indicate that the individual charged is guilty. As such, the Town of Jay owes it to all involved to act deliberately with full knowledge of the facts and with fairness towards all.”
“The Town is currently working to gather information and will make a decision on how to proceed based on a thorough review of all the facts and circumstances. After a review is completed, the Council will determine what additional actions are needed,” the statement concluded.
Watson’s arrest was part of a morning sweep targeting registered sex offenders accused of violating state registration requirements. Early this year, she reportedly spent a week beginning May 29 at an RV park in Milton without reporting it as a temporary address as required by Florida’s sex offender laws.
Until Monday, Watson served as the operations manager for the Town of Jay. Earlier this month, she was under consideration to become the next town manager. However, the town council opted on July 7 not to fill the position.
Watson’s requirement to register as a sexual offender stems from an August 2009 arrest. At the time, Watson and another former Jay High School teacher were charged with engaging in unlawful sexual activity with three 17-year-old male students during July and October of 2007.
In April 2010, Watson was found guilty on three counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. She was sentenced to 15 months in state prison, serving one year behind bars. Her sentence was followed by 18 months of community control and five years of probation, along with a lifelong requirement to register as a sexual offender under Florida law.
Blue Wahoos, Clingstones Postponed By Tropical Storm Bertha
July 22, 2026
Tuesday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Columbus Clingstones was postponed due to high winds associated with Tropical Storm Bertha. The decision was made in collaboration with Major League Baseball officials out of consideration for player and fan safety.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, July 23, with a pair of seven-inning games beginning at 4:05 p.m. CT. Game two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Fans planning to attend Tuesday’s postponed game can exchange their tickets for a future 2026 regular season home game of equal or lesser value at the Blue Wahoos Stadium ticket office. As stated on tickets, no refunds will be given.
Fans with tickets to Thursday’s regularly scheduled game will gain admittance to both games in the doubleheader, in the seats they have been assigned.
Patricia Jeanette Hutto
July 22, 2026
Patricia Jeanette Hutto, age 71, born in Century, FL and a resident of Bay Minette, AL died Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Diversicare in Foley. She was a retired probate clerk for the Baldwin County Probate Office.
She is survived by her aunt, Mary Martin of Seminole, AL; her cousin, Randy (Mary Margaret) Martin of Seminole, AL and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Beckie White Hutto; a brother, Paul Harice Hutto and a sister, Veronica Salazar.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Norris Funeral Home with Reverend Dalton Stuart and Dr. Henry Cox officiating. Burial will be at Pineview Cemetery at a later time.
The family will receive Friday, July 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service at Norris Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to North Baldwin Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 190, Bay Minette, AL 36507.