Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall Resigns
July 10, 2025
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall has resigned, effective immediately.
Mayor D.C. Reeves has named Captain Kristin Brown as the acting chief. She is a 29-year veteran of the department and the longest-tenured captain on the force.
The city said Captain Erik Goss will continue to serve as acting deputy chief while Deputy Chief Kevin Christman is on medical leave.
“This is the only statement being provided by the city at this time,” the city said in a release Thursday morning.
Randall was sworn in PPD chief in June 2021 after being selected in a nationwide search.
Randall has previously served as the assistant chief with the Newport News Police Department. He is originally from Pensacola and graduated from Washington High School.
Updated: Arrest Made in Beulah Fatal Shooting Stemming From Dispute
July 10, 2025
An arrest has been made in a shooting that killed a man Wednesday evening in Beulah.
Randy Lee Pierce, age 49 of Frank Reeder Road, has been charged with second degree homicide and aggravated assault with a weapon. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning and is being held without bond.
The victim was shot multiple times in the chest around 7:50 p.m. in the 7500 block of Frank Reeder Road near Pepperwood Road, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO). He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
ECSO deputies responded to reports of a shots fired disturbance and a shooting victim at the scene. The investigation revealed a dispute between Pierce and two victims, identified as a stepfather and stepson, residing on Frank Reeder Road.
According to the stepson, who was allegedly assaulted in the incident, the suspect, Randy Lee Pierce, had been seen recording individuals on motorcycles riding along Frank Reeder Road. The stepson stated that Pierce had previously confronted him about his motorcycle approximately a week prior, an encounter that reportedly ended amicably, according to the ECSO.
On Wednesday night, the stepson observed Pierce recording him again and informed his stepfather (the homicide victim). The two victims then rode their motorcycles towards the intersection of Frank Reeder Road, where they again saw Pierce recording them.
The stepson recounted that the stepfather dismounted his motorcycle and calmly approached Pierce with an extended hand, seemingly attempting to shake hands. However, Pierce, who was reportedly yelling and acting aggressively towards both victims, allegedly displayed a firearm and shot the stepfather multiple times. Pierce then allegedly pointed the firearm at the stepson.
Following the shooting, Pierce reportedly returned to his home and subsequently left the scene with his wife, who later contacted ECSO at a nearby Circle K convenience store.
Pierce provided a different account to authorities, claiming he acted in fear. However, the ECSO stated that two independent witnesses present at the scene corroborated parts of the stepson’s statement. These witnesses stated they observed the stepfather attempting to shake Pierce’s hand, which Pierce refused. They also heard someone yell, “I’m going to whoop your ass,” though they could not identify who made the statement due to the distance. The witnesses observed Pierce display a firearm and shoot the stepfather, continuing to fire even after the victim had fallen to the ground.
The Sheriff’s Office stated investigators confirmed that when the homicide victim was shot, he was on the county road, not on Pierce’s property.
Escambia Westgate Staffer Selected To Attend Legislative Summit In Washington
July 10, 2025
An Escambia Westgate staff member has been selected to attend the Special Education Legislative Summit 2025 later this month in Washington.
Lucy Waters is an instructional behavioral assistant at Westgate. She is currently enrolled in the ParaToTeacher scholarship program through UWF, which is designed to remove financial barriers for paraprofessionals who want to earn a degree in exceptional student education.
As part of the program, Waters was selected to attend the summit in the nation’s capital from July 13-16. She will have many opportunities to speak with different legislators about the importance of funding for Exceptional Education. Waters said she is excited to go and “carry the voices of all my colleagues and students to the people that make changes happen.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Arrested in Escambia County After DUI Crash And Alleged Assault On Officers
July 10, 2025
A Cantonment woman is facing multiple following charges following a series of incidents that began with a single-vehicle crash on Williams Ditch Road in Cottage Hill. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after witnesses reported erratic driving and a collision involving a red Kia Sorento.
Kristy Lee Mabire, 47, was charged with DUI, resisting arrest with violence, bribery of a public servant, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
According to the arrest report, Mabire was found sitting near the crashed vehicle, which had its airbags deployed. Witnesses described her behavior as “maniacal,” and the trooper noted signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. When questioned, Mabire denied drinking but became uncooperative, attempting to walk away from the scene. The trooper and deputy detained her after she resisted their efforts, the report states.
According to the FHP report, she later asked the trooper if he wanted a sexual favor, but he declined.
“She stated that she said that to only see if I was a good guy. l believed that she asked me that in an attempt to bribe me from placing her under arrest,” the trooper wrote in his report.
During transport to the Escambia County Jail, Mabire allegedly became combative, kicking the glass partition in the FHP vehicle and attempting to assault the officer. Upon arrival at the jail, her behavior escalated further, culminating in an alleged assault on the trooper, whom she reportedly kicked in the groin, FHP said. Mabire was placed in a holding cell after additional combative behavior.
Medical staff at the jail determined Mabire required evaluation at Baptist Hospital due to her condition. The report states that during transport in an ambulance, she continued to yell and act aggressively. After being medically cleared, she was returned to the jail and booked.
Mabire faces felony charges for her actions, including bribery of a public servant and battery on an officer, as well as misdemeanor charges for DUI and obstruction without violence. She is being held at the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The incidents were captured on body cameras, patrol vehicle cameras, and jail surveillance systems, according to the report.
Mabire remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $15,000.
Atmore Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse
July 10, 2025
An Atmore man has been charged with the sexual abuse of a child.
Charles Edward Hawkes, 46, was charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 and enticing a child for immoral purposes.
The Atmore Police Department said the investigation began after a family member reported that a child had been sexually abused.
Atmore Police worked with the Department of Human Resources and the Child Advocacy on the case.
Hawkes was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Germany’s Butting Selects Loxley For $61 Million Steel Pipe Production Facility
July 10, 2025
Butting, a global stainless steel pipe manufacturer, announced plans Wednesday to establish its North American headquarters and first United States production facility in Loxley — just across the state line from North Escambia — as part of a $61 million growth project.
The company’s plans will unfold in two strategic phases, triggering the creation of up to 100 high-quality jobs with wages significantly above the county average.
Butting, founded in 1777 and headquartered in Knesebeck, Germany, is an internationally recognized leader in stainless steel pipe technology, clad pipes, customized spools and components, as well as cryogenic pipe and valve technology systems.
With operations in Germany, Finland, Brazil, Canada, China, and now the U.S., the company continues to expand its global presence. The new Alabama facility will be constructed on a 50+ acre site in the established Loxley industrial corridor.
“Our decision to locate in Baldwin County was driven by the area’s overall attractiveness to live and work, a skilled labor force, proximity to key transportation routes and welcoming business environment,” said Adrian Rochofski, CEO & Managing Director of Butting USA.
“We’re excited to grow our footprint in the United States and call Loxley our home in North America.”
“Butting’s decision to launch its North American headquarters and manufacturing operation in Baldwin County is a powerful endorsement of Alabama’s strengths in workforce readiness, industrial infrastructure and global business relationships,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“This investment not only brings high-paying jobs to Loxley but also supports the growth of a German industry cluster that will generate long-term economic benefits across the region,” she added. “We’re proud to welcome Butting to Alabama, and we look forward to building a lasting partnership.”
Phase 1 of the project will focus on establishing Butting’s North American headquarters, engineering functions, the fabrication of high-quality stainless-steel spools, components and cryogenic pipe systems.
Phase 2 will see a vertical integration buildout of the U.S. production operations, integrating two state-of-the-art stainless steel welded pipe mills, expansion to further cryogenic production portfolio, and expanded fabrication capabilities, to further serve key industrial sectors across the United States.
The official groundbreaking of Phase 1 is expected in Fall 2025, with construction and hiring ramping up in the next few weeks.
Ninth-Inning Explosion Sends Wahoos To Thrilling 16-9 Win
July 10, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
In an epic back-and-forth affair on Wednesday night, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos dealt the final blow with an improbable eight-run ninth inning for a 16-9 win over the Columbus Clingstones.
Trailing 9-8 in the top of the ninth inning, the Blue Wahoos completed their comeback from a 9-5 deficit with a go-ahead two-run home run from Nathan Martorella. Grant Richardson added a two-run blast, his second homer of the night, and Michael Snyder and Cody Morissette tacked on run-scoring hits for an eight-run frame that marked Pensacola’s biggest inning of the season.
The 16 runs and 18 total hits marked the most in a game this season for the Blue Wahoos, who moved past the Clingstones and back into first place in the second half South Division race.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead 2-0 in the early innings with a Martorella RBI double and Shane Sasaki RBI single off Clingstones starter Amos Willingham, who contributed 2.0 innings in a planned bullpen game.
Pensacola starter Jacob Miller had an uncharacteristic night, serving up two home runs in a start for just the second time in his professional career. A solo homer from Ethan Workinger and two-run shot from Stephen Paolini gave the Clingstones a 3-2 lead after three innings.
Richardson’s first homer of the night tied the game 3-3 in the fourth, and Josh Zamora blasted a two-run shot in the fifth to give the Blue Wahoos a 5-3 lead. Once again the lead didn’t take, as the Clingstones charged back with six runs in the sixth off Miller and Jesse Bergin. David McCabe hit an RBI double, and seven other Clingstones added singles to take a 9-5 advantage.
Pensacola chipped away, scoring two in the seventh on a Zamora RBI single and another in the eighth on a Snyder fielder’s choice. Will Kempner (W, 2-1) held serve with 2.0 scoreless innings of relief to send the game to the ninth, where Austin Smith (L, 0-3) was tasked with protecting a 9-8 Clingstones advantage.
Smith didn’t record an out, surrendering the Martorella and Richardson homers and ultimately giving up six runs before position player Kobe Kato came on to get the final three outs of the inning. Josh Ekness worked a quiet bottom of the ninth to seal an improbable 16-9 Blue Wahoos win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Thursday.
Small Plane Crashes Near Highway 29 In Bluff Springs
July 9, 2025
A small single-engine plane crashed Wednesday evening in Bluff Springs.
A witness reported the plane flying just over the treetops before the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a freshly plowed field. The witness said the plane then flipped over. The crash, which occurred around 6:45 p.m., was several hundred feet east of Highway 29, just north of Bluff Springs and Byrneville Roads.
The pilot and a passenger were able to walk away from the crash and depart in a private vehicle. Authorities were told that they said they were going to an area hospital, but that was not confirmed.
According to Federal Aviation Administration registration data, the 1967 Cessna 172H belongs to an individual in Atmore.
The FAA was notified of the crash and will be in charge of the investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Owner Of This Gonzalez Cemetery Has Been Dead For Decades. Now The County May Take Over.
July 9, 2025
The Jordan Cemetery in Gonzalez is 163 years old, and there’s no official caretaker.
It was founded by owner John H. Hamn in 1862, but he died in 1938.
Now, the Escambia County Commission is considering the use of public resources and funds to provide maintenance for the cemetery at 2300 East Kingfield Road. Florida statutes allow the county to take over maintenance of an abandoned cemetery.
According to paperwork filed with the county, the nearly four-acre cemetery contains 811 graves from 1862 to 2017. The “Find a Grave” website lists the most recent burial as being in late 2023.
Of those, over 100 were listed as unmarked in a 1980 survey. About 79 graves have markings that are illegible or have no inscription, while others are marked with just wood or simple concrete. There are 372 graves marked as historic.
Jordan Cemetery is listed as a Historical Cemetery in the Florida Department of Financial Services master site file.
If the county takes over maintenance, they will use staff and resources from the University of West Florida Archeology Institute to supplement the county’s maintenance efforts.
The county commission will consider the Jordan Cemetery maintenance proposal at their meeting on Thursday, July 10.
Pictured: The Jordan Cemetary on Kingsfield Road, as seen in undated photographs. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Deer And A Series Of Events Lead To Unoccupied Jeep Plunging Into Deep Culvert In Bratt
July 9, 2025
A woman’s Jeep Wagoneer ended up deep in a culvert in Bratt Tuesday night in a rather unique sequence of events.
The woman said it all started around 9:50 p.m. when she swerved to miss a deer on Pine Barren Road just south of Bratt Road. She successfully avoided hitting the deer, ran off the roadway, and came to a controlled stop in high grass on the side of the road. The woman and her passengers exited the vehicle unscathed.
But unknown to her at the time, she had parked on the edge of a culvert that is about 20 feet deep. Once she got out of the Jeep, it plunged into the deep culvert—and that deployed all of the vehicle’s airbags, prompting an automatic crash notification to emergency services.
First responders arrived to find everyone standing at the top of the culvert, which was dry and not filled with water. The Jeep was reportedly in park, and the engine was not running.
Authorities on scene said that while the incident was a bit perplexing, everything about the woman’s account of the events to the Florida Highway Patrol matched the scene.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
