Sheriff Provides Update On Century Shooting That Killed One, Injured Another; Retaliatory Gunfire Under Investigation

August 14, 2026

Escambia County Sheriff Simmons is providing more details about a double shooting Thursday night in Century that claimed one person’s life and injured another, and he said shots were fired into a nearby home a short time later in possible retaliation.

The incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. at Showalter Park, off Hecker Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a shots-fired call and arrived to find an adult male with gunshot wounds in a parking area between a ball field and a children’s playground. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second adult male victim later arrived at Jay Hospital, suffering from a through-and-through gunshot wound to the leg that was not believed to be life-threatening.

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At that time, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a shots-fired call and arrived to find an adult male with gunshot wounds in a parking area between a ball field and a children’s playground. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A second victim later arrived at Jay Hospital, suffering from a through-and-through gunshot wound to the leg that was not believed to be life-threatening, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson.

Gathered To Fight

Simmons said a group of seven to eight people, some from Alabama and some from Florida, had gathered at Showalter Park to reportedly fight over a girl. He described a scene where two people were fighting, and more people were gathered around watching.

Suspect Identified

“We do have a suspect; I’m not at liberty to say that’s the shooter yet, but we do have a suspect and we are following up on the information that we have on who that suspect might be,” the sheriff  said, adding that an arrest warrant has not yet been issued as of early Friday afternoon.

He added that there has been “some cooperation” with investigators from those on the scene.

Shooting Near Another Park And Youth Practices

There were no organized activities at Showalter Park at the time, but youth football and cheerleading practices were underway a short distance away at neighboring Anthony Pleasant Park, where many people reported hearing multiple gunshots. Practices were halted, and people left Anthony Pleasant Park out of an abundance of caution, according to Century Blackcats Youth Football and Cheerleading. There is a small wooded area between the two parks, which are connected by a trail and footbridge.

“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.

“Those people that have information should tell us and be honest with us, so that this person can’t harm anyone else.”

Retaliatory Shooting

A second shots-fired incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Mayo Street, just a few blocks from the park. Numerous bullet holes were found in a home.

“We believe that the individual that did the shooting has a connection to that house and we feel like it was retaliatory,” Simmons said. “We believe that people know who did it. People know who the shooter is, who the killer is, and we want them to tell us instead of taking matters into their own hands.”

Know Something?

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620. Callers can remain anonymous.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES