Sheriff’s Office Investigating Disturbance Involving Gun at Cantonment Whataburger Following Football Game

September 5, 2026

Deputies are investigating an altercation involving a firearm that forced a Cantonment fast food restaurant to shut down Friday night following a local high school football game.

Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office 5th Precinct in Cantonment were dispatched to the Whataburger on Highway 29 around 10:30 p.m. for a reported shots-fired disturbance, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson.

The incident occurred shortly after the Tate High School Aggies hosted the Escambia Gators just over a mile away.

“Upon arrival, deputies found a large crowd of juveniles in the parking lots of Whataburger, Circle K, and the Ashley Medical Clinic,” Peterson said. “These juveniles had gathered here after the Tate High School game.”

Investigators quickly determined that a physical altercation had erupted inside the Whataburger dining room.

“An investigation determined that a fight occurred in Whataburger, which disrupted and trashed the business, resulting in the business having to close,” Peterson stated.

During the chaos, a weapon was produced.

“During this fight, a suspect, described as a juvenile black male with short dreads and wearing a green shirt, pulled a gun,” Peterson said. “The manager tackled the suspect to the ground, but the suspect escaped.”

Despite the initial report of gunfire, authorities confirmed no shots were fired during the incident.

“It was determined that the suspect did not fire the gun,” Peterson added, noting that “this incident was caught on camera and will be admitted into evidence when the corporation releases it.”

No major injuries were reported, and the search for the suspect remains ongoing.

Anyone with information or video is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 63-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES