ECSO: Suspect, 17, Wanted For Pulling Gun Inside Cantonment Whataburger After Tate Game

October 6, 2026

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has named a 14-year-old suspect who pulled a gun inside a Cantonment fast-food restaurant on September 4.

Henry Thomas Watts II is wanted for aggravated riot with a deadly weapon; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; improper exhibition of a firearm; and brawling, fighting, or corrupting moral decency.

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,” Sgt. Melony Peterson said following the incident. “These juveniles had gathered here after the Tate High School game.”

According to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, Watts pulled a firearm from inside his jacket to fight someone. During the fight, the firearm was pointed indiscriminately in the restaurant that was crowded with 20–30 people, with Watts making no attempt to put down the gun.

“We had some pretty heroic actions here. We had the store manager who grabbed him after he was involved in the fight and had a gun, and he was able to subdue him,” the sheriff said.

“He breaks away from the store manager, but you can see he’s attempting to make his run, he also still has a gun in his hand, and the gun is still pointed towards the individuals that he was fighting,” Simmons continued, describing security camera images.

There were no shots fired, and no injuries were reported.

Anyone with information or video is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

Comments

3 Responses to “ECSO: Suspect, 17, Wanted For Pulling Gun Inside Cantonment Whataburger After Tate Game”

  1. Tom on October 6th, 2026 5:03 pm

    Make an example out of these people quit letting them go, next time someone will die, does it always take someone losing a lived one before something is done? It is evident hes dangerous.

  2. JTV on October 6th, 2026 4:51 pm

    Unfortunately, this beginner thug won’t get a sentence that he deserves.

  3. Usual Suspects on October 6th, 2026 4:45 pm

    Wow. Good job manager!





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