16-Year-Old Century Showalter Park Murder Suspect In Custody After Surrendering To Deputies

August 22, 2026

A 16-year-old wanted for a fatal shooting at a Century park is now in custody after turning himself in Friday night.

Keyunta Ewing, known locally as “Baby K,” surrendered to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Friday night. Sheriff Chip Simmons had announced earlier in the day that an active warrant for first-degree murder had been issued for Ewing in connection with the August 13 shooting at Showalter Park that left one man dead and another injured. Additional details regarding his surrender were not immediately available.

“Seven or eight people had gathered around for a fist fight, and after that fight someone left from the crowd and they pulled a gun and just fired several times into our victim, ultimately killing him and injuring another,” Simmons said.

Adarius Da’Shun Odom, 20s, known as “Daily,” was found with gunshot wounds in a parking area between a ball field and a playground. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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A second victim, Da’Quan “Money” Johnson, also in his 20s, arrived later at Jay Hospital with a through-and-through gunshot wound to the leg. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson. Both Odom and Johnson were members of the 2018 state championship Flomaton High School Hurricanes football team.

While there were no organized activities at Showalter Park at the time, youth football and cheerleading practices were underway nearby at Anthony Pleasant Park. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, prompting coaches and organizers to halt practice and clear the park out of an abundance of caution, according to Century Blackcats Youth Football and Cheerleading. A wooded trail and footbridge connect the two parks.

“It’s certainly tragic that an individual would be killed, and it’s certainly concerning the individual that is involved felt the need to take this type of action and not have any concern about the safety of the other individual that was shot in the leg or anyone that might be nearby. We as a community should say that’s unacceptable,” Simmons stated.

Deputies also responded to a second shots-fired incident around 8 p.m. that same evening on Mayo Street, a few blocks from the park, where multiple bullet holes were discovered in a residence. Simmons indicated investigators believe the home has a connection to the shooter and that the gunfire was retaliatory.

Funeral services for Odom will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Flomaton High School Auditorium, preceded by a 10 a.m. visitation.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “16-Year-Old Century Showalter Park Murder Suspect In Custody After Surrendering To Deputies”

  1. Sw on August 23rd, 2026 9:25 pm

    Since he is a minor he will probably get a slap on the wrist and out in a few years. He should be tried as an ADULT.

  2. Daren on August 23rd, 2026 7:46 am

    It is truly sad, my sympathy goes out to Adarius Odums family. The part I don’t understand is how 16 year old kids are walking around with guns. Wouldn’t that be the first thing we should be trying to solve.

  3. Tom on August 22nd, 2026 5:50 pm

    Sad thing is he will get out in couple years and think he is that much tougher because he did time, and do the same thing or worse.

  4. David on August 22nd, 2026 4:44 pm

    Just one word comes to me; Why? So senseless.

  5. Thankful on August 22nd, 2026 9:43 am

    Thank you ECSD for getting this killer off our streets. Such a shame a 16 year old made such a selfish decision to use a gun and end a life and wound another. Prayers for the victims. Now to find the retaliation shooter with the same evil mentality.

  6. Mpayton on August 22nd, 2026 9:31 am

    A story like this lands heavy. A 16‑year‑old — a kid who should still be figuring out life — has thrown his future away in a burst of violence that can’t be undone. One moment of anger, one gun pulled in a crowd, and now two young men are gone in different ways: Adarius Odom is dead, and Keyunta Ewing’s life is effectively over before it ever really began.
    It’s heartbreaking to watch a community lose two sons at once — one to a bullet, one to the consequences of firing it. A fistfight turned into a killing, children practicing nearby had to be rushed away, and families are left shattered. The tragedy isn’t just the loss of life; it’s the loss of what these young men could have been.

  7. Susie on August 22nd, 2026 9:15 am

    Great job, ECSO. We knew LEO’s would have him in custody soon. Sad the “kid” made a serious mistake. Bless the victim and his family.

  8. anne on August 22nd, 2026 4:08 am

    A 16 yr. old who ruined his entire to prove a point? What exactly did this prove?





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