Man Gets 15 Years For Fatally Shooting Teen At 2024 Cottage Hill Party
April 18, 2026
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter for the April 2024 fatal shooting of a 16-year-old at a party at a Cottage Hill home. He was also convicted of evidence tampering a concurrent sentence of just over 10 years.
Ethan Alexander O’Brien, now 21, will receive credit for 724 days served while awaiting trial. Once released, he will be on supervised probation for 15 years.
The investigation determined that during a large gathering at the residence, O’Brien, then 19, was showing off his firearm, at which time it discharged, hitting 16-year-old Bryson Allen (pictured below).
The incident happened about 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at a home in the 600 block of Wishbone Road.
The victim grabbed his side after being shot and said, “You just shot me bro” before falling to the ground, a witness told law enforcement. He said O’Brien had an “AR style” rifle and he was playing with it before the shooting.
Allen was pronounced deceased at the scene, and investigators said O’Brien fled the scene. The weapon was never found.
Pictured top: The scene on Wishbone Road in Cottage Hill late Friday night, April 12, 2024, after a teen was shot and killed. Pictured below: Crime scene tape still surrounded the home the following morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Claims District Championship With 2-1 Win Over Jay (With Gallery)
April 18, 2026
The Northview Chiefs won the Rural District 1 championship on Friday night, 2-1 over Jay in a game played at Central High School.
“It’s amazing, they worked so hard,” first-year Northview head coach Justin Raley said after the win over the Royals. Justin Raley had been an assistant coach the past three seasons at Jay, under the leadership of his father Duane Raley, who is now an assistant coach at Northview.
“This group of guys is special; they’ve bought in from day one, and they deserve every bit of this,” he added.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Bryant Mason earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings, walking two and striking out eight. Jack Boutwell opened on the hill for the Chiefs, allowing three hits and one unearned run in two innings, walking two and striking out one.
Landon Golden went five innings for the Royals, allowing one hit, two earned runs, striking out seven and walking six. Brison Nelson was on the mound for one inning, giving up one hit and walking two.
Mason and Boutwell had one hit each for Northview, while Bryant Mason and Luke Chavers had one RBI each. Bryson Morris had one RBI for Jay, while Nick Baxley went 2-3.
Northview (18-8, 3-0) will likely host a first round regional game. Jay (14-7, 2-2) will also likely have at at-large bid in the regional tournament, but possibly on the road.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Concrete Truck, SUV Collide On Highway 29 In Cantonment
April 18, 2026
At least one person was injured in a crash involving an SUV and a concrete truck on Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. on Highway 29 north of Ten Mile Road, near Dollar General.
Firefighters removed the doors from the vehicle to extricate the victim, who was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Retiring Tate Lady Aggies Head Softball Coach Melinda Wyatt Honored
April 18, 2026
Longtime Tate High School Lady Aggies softball head coach Melinda Wyatt, who is retiring at the end of the season, was honored before a Friday night game.
We will have complete coverage and a photo gallery on Sunday here on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pace At Tate Softball Game Called Due To Serious Player Injury
April 18, 2026
Friday night’s Pace at Tate varsity softball game was called due to the injury of a Pace Lady Patriot.
Junior Kylie Reed was running to second base when she collided with the Tate second baseman. She was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
“Please keep our girl Kylie Reed in your thoughts and prayers,” Pace Softball posted on their social media Friday night. “She is in good spirits as of now, and is doing okay but in a lot of pain. We love you Kylie.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Pace High School Softball. Please keep their players, coaches, and family in your prayers,” Tate Softball posted. The Aggies’ second baseman was not injured.
For more photos from the beginning of the game, click here.
Before the game, the Tate Aggies honored retiring head coach Melinda Wyatt. We will have a complete story and photo gallery on Sunday morning on NorthEscambia.com.
Pace 3, Tate 0 (JV)
The JV Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Tate.
Middleton went five innings for Tate, giving up three unearned runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.
For photos from the end of the game, click here. (JV photos are the end of the gallery.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Sentenced On Federal Charge Related To 2024 Cantonment Shooting Incident
April 18, 2026
An Alabama man who was accused of shooting into a home on River Annex Road in Cantonment has now been sentenced to four years in federal prison.
Grant Bieber, age 45, of Gulf Shores, previously pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the 200 block of River Annex Road in October 2024.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Bieber and a female friend were outside a residence and tried to get inside. Bieber became angry and tried unsuccessfully to bust in a door, according to investigators. He then retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired into the residence, deputies said. There were no injuries.
Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to search Bieber’s truck, and located a box of .22-caliber ammunition and a wallet containing his Alabama driver’s license in the center console. He had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Bieber was first charged with attempted murder and a felony weapons offense for shooting into a home by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Those charges were later dropped at the state level when the federal charge was filed.
“Keeping our communities safe remains the highest priority, and removing dangerous criminals from our streets is how we will achieve that goal. I truly appreciate the excellent investigative work by our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who are on the front lines in the fight against crime, and my office will continue to back up their efforts with aggressive prosecutions to hold criminals accountable,” said John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Cold Front Will Bring Chance Of Showers And Isolated Thunderstorms Overnight
April 18, 2026
A passing cold front will bring a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms overnight.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Reminder: North Escambia Baby Shower Is Today In Century With Supplies, Resources
April 18, 2026
The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County are partnering with various family support organizations to host the third North Escambia Baby Shower in Century today.
Organizers say the event is for you if you are pregnant, an expectant father, or have a child under 3-years-old.
The event is designed to connect families who are pregnant, newly postpartum, or have children ages 0 to 3 with essential resources, supplies, and education to support their health and wellness.
The North Escambia Baby Shower will be held inside the Century Community Center (Ag Building) at West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Organizers said, “More than ever, families struggle to access community resources and connections that can aid their journey through parenthood. The North Escambia Baby Shower will help provide much-needed baby items in addition to resources from the vendors present. Caregivers will have the opportunity to learn the basics of keeping themselves and their babies healthy.”
Registration is not required for the event, which is first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Editor’s note: The North Escambia Baby Shower is not affiliated with NorthEscambia.com.
Rodger (Rod) Earl Wetzel
April 18, 2026
Rodger (Rod) Earl Wetzel, age 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 11, 2026, in Pensacola, FL.
Rod was born on May 12, 1943, in Stockton, California, the son of the late Virgil and Lois Wetzel and the oldest of their 4 children.
Rod split time during his teenage years between the California Central Valley and Klamath Falls, Oregon. At the young age of 17 and by way of Parental Consent, he enlisted for service in the United States Navy. Rod served for six years between 1961 and 1966 with most of that time aboard the USS Lexington. He accepted his discharge in Pensacola, Florida, having served his commitment honorably.
Shortly after that, Rod would meet and fall for the love of his life, Sheryl Josey. Rod knew at first sight that this was who he wanted to start a life with and wasted no time. After courting for 2 weeks, Rod proposed to Sheryl and they were married within the year. They would remain married for 58 years until his passing. A true love story.
Rod worked as a tradesman until his retirement in 2000 due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Rod would battle this disease with grace and humility until his passing.
Rod Wetzel was first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ attending Smyrna Baptist Church. He was equally dedicated to being an incredible husband, father and Grandfather.
Rod is survived by his wife, Sheryl, his daughter Paula Keating and her husband Tom, his eldest son Levi Wetzel, and his youngest son, Ty Wetzel, his sister Rixey Quadros and brother Ronald Wetzel, and his three grandchildren Jacob, Lauren and William.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Rod. Until we meet again in Heaven.
Molino And Cantonment Suspects Charged After Stolen Guns Surface in Delaware
April 17, 2026
A Molino man and a Cantonment man are facing multiple felony charges after an investigation into stolen firearms led authorities from Florida to Delaware.
Christopher Michael Spruill, 30, of Molino, was arrested following a foot pursuit in a West Nine Mile Road parking lot . Spruill was wanted for a late February burglary at the Eight Mile Creek Road home of his step-parents, where six firearms were reportedly stolen from a bedroom closet and a garage toolbox . Following his arrest, deputies also found a fanny pack containing suspected synthetic cannabinoids (spice), a scale, and distribution baggie, according to an arrest report. Spruill wass charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, six counts of grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation expanded when Spruill admitted to investigators that he had taken five of the firearms to a residence near Olive Road and given four of them to a man named “Robert” in exchange for an $1,100 loan . Later, a detective from the New Castle County Division of Police in Delaware contacted local investigators after recovering one of the stolen weapons—a Windham AR-15—during a domestic violence search warrant at a home.
Delaware authorities also executed a search warrant on the Delaware suspect’s cellphone, uncovering text messages that linked the stolen guns to Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 32, of Cantonment, the arrest report states. The messages, dated between detailed Edgecumbe purchasing a black N-PAP AK-47 and a Taurus Judge .410 revolver from the Delaware man while he was in Pensacola . In the exchange, Edgecumbe reportedly acknowledged the risk of the transaction, stating, “I know, I know its Illegal in our hands”.
Edgecumbe was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted Florida felon.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail, where Spruill is held with bond set at $86,000 and Edgecumbe remains with bond set at $50,000.