Suspect Now Charged With Attempted Murder In Downtown Pensacola Shooting
July 11, 2026
Charges have been upgraded to attempted first murder against a 26-year-old man arrested earlier this week in connection with a deadly shooting in downtown Pensacola that claimed one life and injured six other people.
Nicholas Lilane Safford, 26, of Daphne, Alabama, is also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Safford has two previous felony convictions in Alabama.
Lillian Myllicen Meyers, 25, of Pensacola, has also been charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact. Pensacola police say the shooter gave her one of the weapons used, which she then removed from the scene. Both are being held without bond.
The shooting, which occurred during the early morning hours of July 5, claimed the life of 19-year-old Phillip Devon Monte Sheppard Jr. All but one of the six other victims have since been released from the hospital. Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said Monday that an ongoing feud led to the shooting.
Monday Is Deadline To Apply For $65,000 In Community Grants From International Paper
July 11, 2026
The deadline to apply is Monday for the International Paper Pensacola Mill 2026 grant program, which will award 10 grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations.
The IP Foundation grant program supports organizations working to address critical community needs and improve quality of life across the region.
“International Paper grants are a powerful way for us to make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Whitney Fike, Regional Communications Manager. “We’re proud to support organizations that are creating positive change and delivering real impact where it’s needed most.”
Applications are open through Monday, July 13 and can be submitted online at www.ipgiving.com.
The International Paper Foundation focuses its giving on four key areas:
- Education – with a priority on early childhood literacy (birth through 3rd grade)
- Hunger – improving food security
- Health & Wellness – promoting healthy lifestyles
- Disaster Relief – helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters
Additional funding opportunities may support environmental initiatives and other critical community needs.
Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or qualifying federal entities and demonstrate measurable impact through their programs.
For more information, visit www.internationalpaper.com/giving-eligibility or contact Whitney Fike, Regional Communications Manager at whitney.fike@ipaper.com or call (850) 968-3076.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Sentenced To 18 Years For DUI Crash That Killed Retired Navy Veteran
July 11, 2026
A 21-year-old woman has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison for a June 2024 drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a retired Navy veteran working as an Uber driver and severely injured a naval passenger.
Circuit Judge John Simon handed down the sentence against Terriny Brooke Krepps.
Krepps entered a guilty plea to DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, and two counts of DUI with damage to property or person without serious injury.
The charges stem from a fatal collision that occurred at 4:19 a.m. on June 29, 2024, at the intersection of Gulf Beach Highway and Navy Boulevard.
According to prosecutors, Krepps was driving on Gulf Beach Highway when she ran a red light and broadsided a vehicle driven by Kurt Kramer. Kramer, a retired Navy veteran, was operating his vehicle as an Uber and was transporting three passengers—Cameron Montoya, Semaj Jones, and Quavon Brown—back to Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Kramer succumbed to his injuries at the scene and was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel. Montoya suffered severe injuries that ultimately led to his medical discharge from the Navy, while Jones and Brown sustained minor injuries.
Investigators revealed that Krepps consented to a blood draw two hours after the crash, which returned a blood alcohol concentration of .186 percent, well over Florida’s legal limit of .08 percent. Florida Highway Patrol troopers also discovered two 12-packs of “Twisted Tea,” an alcoholic beverage, inside her vehicle.
Krepps was 19 years old at the time of the crash. Records showed she had been cited by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for illegal possession of alcohol just three weeks prior to the fatal collision.
Judge Simon sentenced Krepps to the maximum penalty of 15 years in state prison for the DUI manslaughter charge, which includes a four-year mandatory minimum sentence. He ordered an additional three years to be served consecutively for the count of DUI with serious bodily injury.
Following her 18-year prison term, Krepps must complete two years of probation, fulfill statutorily required classes, and complete community service. Judge Simon also permanently revoked her driver’s license.
Blue Wahoos Offense Goes Quiet In 11-1 Loss
July 11, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell to the Montgomery Biscuits by a final score of 11-1 on Friday night after a barrage of extra base hits left the home side unable to keep up.
The Blue Wahoos (45-40) dropped their first game of the series after taking the initial three in dramatic fashion that saw two walk-offs wins. With the win, the Biscuits (40-45) reclaimed their edge with a 7-6 mark against Pensacola this season.
Pensacola scored one run on eight hits, drawing two walks. Cam Cannarella led the team at the plate with a 3-for-4 night, picking up his fifth double of his young Double-A career. Juan Matheus followed with a 2-for-3 outing that saw him drive in the lone run of the night. Brendan Jones, Emmarion Boyd and Payton Green notched a hit a piece.
Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 2-4) took the loss for the home side, delivering 3.1 innings that allowed seven hits and six earned runs before an abrupt exit. Montgomery’s Gary Gill-Hill (W, 3-2) earned the win, holding Pensacola scoreless for six innings.
As has been a trend for the homestand, it would be Montgomery that got on the board first, this time early in the first inning. An Emilien Pitre triple that escaped the diving effort of Jones in center field plated two early runs for the Biscuits.
The Biscuits would extend their lead with a punishing five-run fourth inning. An RBI double from Kenny Piper started things off, followed by a pair of two-run homers from Kamren James and Jadher Areinamo.
Montgomery added another run in the fifth, increasing the gap on the scoreboard to 8-0 as Xavier Isaac came home from third while the Pensacola infield opted for a double play. They’d cap their scoring with an Isaac three-RBI home run in the eighth.
Not to be deterred, the Blue Wahoos prevented the shutout by getting one back in the bottom of the eighth. Boyd and Cannarella picked up consecutive singles, and a sharp line drive into right field by Matheus allowed Boyd to race home from second base.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Saturday.
written by Maddy Branning
Earlier Start, Expanded Lineup Announced For Next Week’s Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 10, 2026
The Santa Rosa Island Authority has released the updated Friday and Saturday performance schedule for the 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show, featuring an expanded lineup of military aircraft, historic warbirds and elite aerobatic performers July 17–18 over Pensacola Beach.
This year’s show carries special significance, honoring the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels alongside America’s 250th anniversary. The expanded lineup will feature more aircraft and performances than in previous years, with flight demonstrations beginning earlier than usual on both Friday and Saturday.
“This year’s air show is shaping up to be one of the most memorable we’ve ever hosted,” said Robbie Schrock, SRIA Director of Administration. “Spectators will see more aircraft and more performances over Pensacola Beach. It’s an extraordinary way to honor these two historic milestones in a community with such deep ties to Naval Aviation.”
Returning this year, the voice of the air show is Luke Carrico, a seasoned announcer renowned for his dynamic and engaging commentary that places audiences directly in the cockpits overhead. Paul Entrekin, a retired Marine Corps aviator and former full-time air show pilot performer, will mark his 33rd year as the Air Boss over the show.
Due to the expanded schedule this year, flight demonstrations will begin earlier than usual. Lifeguards and public safety personnel will clear spectators and vessels from Gulf waters inside the marked aerobatic box at 10:35 a.m. Friday and Saturday, ahead of the opening act at 10:46 a.m. Spectators will later have a brief 20-minute water break from 1:30 to 1:50 p.m. before the Gulf is cleared again for the Blue Angels’ 2 p.m. performance.
Performance times below are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday unless otherwise noted. All are subject to change due to weather or other operational considerations:
10:46 to 10:56 a.m. — The show opens with a Red Bull Air Force flag jump set to the National Anthem and a high-energy teaser featuring Red Bull Air Force helicopter aerobatic pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, aerobatic champion Kevin Coleman in the Extra 300, and precision jumpers.
10:58 to 11:02 a.m. Friday; 10:58 to 11:08 a.m. Saturday — Shannon Elliott will perform in the historic SNJ-5, showcasing the power and grace of the classic military trainer.
11:04 to 11:08 a.m. Friday — A four-plane formation of U.S. Air Force T-6 Texan IIs will take to the skies, highlighting precision formation flying in the modern military trainer.
11:10 to 11:20 a.m. — The Pink Jet, a striking pink Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros flown by Stephanie Goetz and Olga Sannikova, combines unforgettable aerial performance with a powerful message of breast cancer awareness and community outreach.
11:22 to 11:32 a.m. — Frank Kimmel will fly his rare 1949 F4U-5 Corsair, one of fewer than 24 airworthy examples remaining worldwide out of more than 12,000 built. The Corsair remains one of World War II’s most iconic aircraft.
11:34 to 11:44 a.m. — 187th Fighter Wing F-35s based at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala., will showcase the F-35A Lightning II’s unmatched stealth, sensor fusion and combat capability. Known as the “Red Tails,” the wing proudly carries forward the legacy of the WWII Tuskegee Airmen.
11:46 to 11:58 a.m. — Carol Pilon with Third Strike Wingwalking will perform atop a vintage Stearman biplane, executing daring acrobatics thousands of feet above the beach in a tribute to classic barnstorming tradition.
Noon to 12:10 p.m. — RJ Gritter will fly his Bellanca Decathlon in a routine filled with crisp loops, rolls, hammerheads and smoke-trailed maneuvers that highlight technical skill and dynamic showmanship.
12:12 to 12:24 p.m. — Father-and-son duo Ken and Austin Rieder with Redline Airshows will perform in matched RV-8 aircraft with opposing passes, tight formation flying and synchronized aerobatics.
12:26 to 12:39 p.m. — Titan Aerobatic Team will fly three WWII-era AT-6 Texan aircraft in tight, precision formation maneuvers that honor the legacy of the iconic military trainer.
12:41 to 12:51 p.m. — Skip Stewart returns with his highly modified biplane, Prometheus, delivering aggressive snap rolls, vertical climbs and his signature inverted low-level pass along the beach.
12:53 to 1:18 p.m. — Red Bull Air Force returns for a featured performance combining helicopter aerobatics, Kevin Coleman’s specialized Extra 300SHP and precision skydiving from the Red Bull Air Force Jump Team led by Luke Aikins.
1:20 to 1:30 p.m. Friday only — The sound of freedom returns as the 28th Bomb Squadron brings two legendary B-1B Lancers back to Pensacola Beach. Known for their unmistakable roar, sweeping wings and unmatched presence, the “Bones” are set to once again shake the coastline.
1:20 to 1:24 p.m. Saturday — A four-plane formation of U.S. Air Force T-6 Texan IIs will take to the skies over Pensacola Beach, showcasing the precision, power and teamwork of the Air Force’s premier pilot training aircraft.
1:26 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday only — The Veterans Flight, organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, will serve as a moving aerial tribute honoring 101-year-old Korean War Medal of Honor recipient and legendary U.S. Navy fighter pilot Capt. Royce Williams and all World War II and Korean War veterans.
Starting at 1:30 p.m., spectators will have a very short, 20-minute window to cool off in the Gulf before the show’s grand finale. At 1:50 p.m., lifeguards and public safety personnel will begin clearing everyone from the water in anticipation of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Spectators are urged to cooperate immediately when asked to exit the Gulf so the air show can continue safely and on schedule.
2 to 2:45 p.m. — Closing out the show Friday and Saturday will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying in their F/A-18 Super Hornets. For 80 years, the Blue Angels have represented the highest standards of excellence, teamwork and service within the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Spectators will witness signature maneuvers including the Diamond Dirty Loop, Double Farvel, Vertical Pitch, Fleur de Lis, Opposing Knife Edge Pass and crowd-favorite Sneak Pass.
“For Pensacola Beach, hosting the Blue Angels is personal. They are our hometown heroes and a proud part of our community,” said Mike Burns, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. “As we celebrate their 80th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday, we’re honored to share this special tradition with visitors from across the country.”
IMPORTANT NOTE: NO DRONES OR KITES ALLOWED DURING THE AIR SHOW
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Take A Quick Survey About Century Celebration And Fireworks
July 10, 2026
What did you think about the Independence Day celebration and fireworks in Century?
The Town of Century wants to know, and they are asking you to take a short anonymous survey before Monday, July 13:
https://forms.gle/fbFbZth3zBGbCxy79
The event, a joint celebration presented by the towns of Century and Flomaton, was held at Anthony Pleasant Park and the adjacent Showalter Park on July 3. There were food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and fireworks after dark.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman To Host Community Food Distribution, Backpack Giveaway On August 1
July 10, 2026
Rep. Michelle Salzman, in partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast, A Foundation of Hope, and Kevin Stephens, ECUA District 5, along with a coalition of community organizations and local businesses, invites area families to attend a Community Food Distribution and Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 1, at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on W Street.
The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue while supplies last. Vehicles may begin lining up at 6 a.m. to receive assistance.
Families will receive fresh food and grocery items while supplies last, along with backpacks filled with school supplies to help local students prepare for the upcoming school year. The event is designed to provide essential resources that help families start the school year with confidence.
Marcus Pointe Baptist Church is located at 6205 North W Street.
Food and backpacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Families are encouraged to arrive early, as demand is expected to be high, so per-car amounts will be limited.
Escambia Man Found Dead Inside Pickup Discovered In Yellow River
July 10, 2026
An Escambia County man was found dead Thursday after his pickup truck plunged into the Yellow River in Santa Rosa County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to an FHP report released Thursday, the incident occurred at an unknown time at the dead end of Ward Basin Road near Fish Camp Road.
Investigating state troopers reported that a 68-year-old man was driving a pickup truck southbound on Ward Basin Road when the vehicle failed to stop at the end of the roadway. The truck traveled past the dead end and entered the river, where it was later discovered.
The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name has not been released.
UWF Mourns Loss Of Hall Of Fame Member, Supporter Darrell Gooden
July 10, 2026
The University of West Florida is mourning the loss of Charles “Darrell” Gooden, a proud alumnus, local business leader, and the largest donor in the history of UWF Athletics. Gooden passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with his wife, Deborah “Debbie” Gooden, by his side following a battle with metastatic adenocarcinoma. He was 74.
His passing comes at a historic juncture for his alma mater. This fall, UWF Athletics officially elevates to NCAA Division I competition, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference as a multi-sport member and the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for football. Anchoring this new era is the construction of the $50 million Darrell Gooden Stadium on campus, a state-of-the-art multi-use venue made possible by his monumental lead gift of more than $10 million. While the full 7,500-seat facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027, fans will get their first taste of the upgrade this fall with a new 85-foot-by-30-foot HD LED video board in the end zone, which will be operational for the inaugural Division I season while construction continues around PenAir Field.
In a statement, the university expressed profound gratitude for his lasting legacy: “UWF mourns the loss of Darrell Gooden, a proud alumnus and supporter whose extraordinary generosity has helped transform UWF Athletics and fund numerous student scholarships. Our thoughts go out to the Gooden family and all those who had the privilege to know him.”
“Darrell’s extraordinary generosity and commitment to UWF has created opportunities for generations of students and has transformed our campus through investments in scholarships, athletics and student success,” remarked Manny Diaz Jr., UWF president.
A Pensacola native, Gooden graduated from UWF in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He channeled his business acumen into the local housing market, founding Gooden Homes, Inc. in 1980. Under his leadership as CEO, the company built more than 3,000 homes across the Pensacola area, earning numerous Parade of Homes awards—including multiple honors for Outstanding Home—and culminating in Gooden being named Builder of the Year by the Home Builders Association of West Florida in 2009.
While his business footprint shaped the local landscape, his philanthropy transformed the university campus. Gooden was a member of the Sword & Shield Council and the UWF Foundation Board of Directors, becoming a Platinum UWF Football Founder in 2016 when he joined the initial push to launch the university’s football program. He also established an endowed scholarship to support UWF Football student-athletes.
His financial contributions completely reshaped the campus sports infrastructure. His initial lead gift funded the construction of the Darrell Gooden Center, which opened in 2018 to provide a home locker room for the football team and a sports performance center for all student-athletes. Gooden later helped spearhead fundraising for an expansion to the facility, adding the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center and a new football coaches’ suite. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Gooden was inducted into the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame in November 2025.
Gooden was able to attend the official stadium groundbreaking ceremony on February 11, 2026, celebrating a venue designed to host not only Division I football but also concerts, high school championships, and major community events.
Gooden is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years, Debbie Gooden; his sister, Debra Axley (John); nephews John Charles Axley (Page), Jason Christopher Axley (Amy), and Nicholas Gooden Woosley (Brittany); alongside several grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family members, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Theodore Gooden and Cornelia Hassebrock Gooden.
In accordance with Gooden’s wishes, no formal services will be held. The family has expressed deep gratitude for the community’s influx of love, prayers, and support. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Valerie’s House.
Photo courtesy UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hernández The Hero As Wahoos Win Another Walk-Off
July 10, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fourth game in a row on Thursday night, beating the Montgomery Biscuits 4-3 on a walk-off single from Cristian Hernández.
It marked the third late-inning comeback in a row for the Blue Wahoos, and their second walk-off in three games after Fenwick Trimble’s game-winning single on Tuesday and a five-run eighth inning rally sparked by Hernández on Wednesday.
Though the Biscuits scored the first run of the game on a Mac Horvath double, an interference call and a Caden Bodine sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning, Brendan Jones leveled the score for the Blue Wahoos with a solo homer in the bottom of the second.
Luis Palacios allowed just an unearned run over 3.1 innings in his start for the Blue Wahoos, and fellow lefty Christian MacLeod was outstanding in long relief with six strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless frames.
The Blue Wahoos took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth, as Dylan Jasso singled, advanced to third on a Cam Cannarella base hit, and scored on an errant throw when Cannarella stole second base.
Staked to a 2-1 lead, Blue Wahoos reliever Jack Sellinger allowed an unearned run in the seventh when Gregory Barrios tripled and scored on a passed ball from catcher Ryan Ignoffo.
In the top of the eighth, Nigel Belgrave (W, 3-5) allowed a leadoff double to Bodine and nearly got out of the jam, recording a pair of outs before Theo Gillen grounded a single to right field to give the Biscuits a 3-2 lead.
For the third consecutive game, the Blue Wahoos mounted a late rally against the Montgomery bullpen. Beleaguered Biscuits reliever Tommy McCollum (L, 2-7) surrendered a game-tying homer to Juan Matheus in the eighth, and returned for the ninth after Belgrave kept the game tied in the top half of the inning. Jones led off with a walk, advanced to second when Payton Green was hit with a pitch, and gave up the walk-off single to Hernández for a 4-3 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Friday.
written by Erik Bremer