Second Suspect Arrested In Fatal Atmore Double Shooting
June 26, 2025
A second Evergreen man has been charged with murder and attempted murder for an early Tuesday morning shooting in Atmore.
Javarius Watkins (pictured top left), 24, turned himself in Wednesday night and has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Tyler Hall (pictured bottom left and top), 22, is being held without bond in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center, and Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMinn said additional arrests are forthcoming.
Around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, the Atmore Police Department responded to Atmore Community Hospital for reported gunshot victims. They discovered 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore had passed away due to his injuries, and a second victim was flown to a trauma center with injuries that appeared to be non-life threatening. Police have not released the name or age of the second victim.
Officers determined the shooting occurred on Carver Avenue near 18th Avenue during a drag race, and they recovered “dozens” of spent shell casings. The investigation is continuing.
Escambia County High School in Atmore is offering counseling services Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tate High School Revs Up New Automotive Service Academy, Seeks Mechanic Teacher
June 26, 2025
Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy is set to open in the fall, but the program is still looking for a teacher who is an experienced mechanic with ASE certification.
Last October, Triumph Gulf Coast voted to award a grant of up to $617,227 to Escambia County Public Schools to re-establish the Automotive Service Academy at Tate High School and to renovate and equip the former Auto Body building with modern equipment and a hands-on lab.
Academy Teacher Needed
“The instructor we are looking for does not need a college degree. We need a teacher who has experience in working on cars,” said Steve Harrell, Workforce Director for Escambia County Public Schools. “They need to have at least two years of full-time experience as a mechanic. Additionally, the new instructor needs to have ASE certification. They don’t need to have ASE Master Mechanic, but they do need to have passed at least four ASE certifications (such as brake, electrical, suspension and steering, etc.).”
“We value experience over all else,” he added.
The salary range is $48,300 to $52,100 for a 10-month position and includes benefits and access to training.
“We can move a new applicant up a little on the salary schedule if they have experience,” Harrell said. “I hope that everyone who sees this job posting realizes that comparing a teaching job to another job is difficult. The rewards that come from giving young people the skills they need to be successful in a career are immeasurable.”
Additionally, a “Classroom Heroes” grant can potentially pay up to $4,000 in sign-on bonus for veterans.
Automotive Service Academy
“This program is a reimagining of our previous Automotive Service program that closed down ages ago,” Harrell said. In the years since the program closed, the space that once was an auto service program became a storage facility and a pottery classroom.
With the Triumph grant and matching funds from the school district, just over $1 million has been invested in the program. The building has undergone a complete makeover with power door lifts, an epoxy floor, two classrooms, a locker room, and even a laundry room to wash coveralls that will protect student clothing. Before school starts, tool rooms and vehicle lifts will be installed.
The academy is also being outfitted with complete Snap-on tool sets.
Students will troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair vehicles, as well as provide routine maintenance on a variety of modern automobiles. This project will have a classroom academic component, but the primary learning environment will be the academy’s automotive service shop and will guarantee completion of 225 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificates by the end of the 2029-2030 academic year.
Pictured: Work is underway to complete the interior of Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy. Equipment such as vehicles lifts, tool cribs and classroom furniture will be installed in the the coming days. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves Casey’s Plans For New Convenience Store At Highway 29, Highway 97 In Molino
June 26, 2025
The Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday gave final approval to plans for a new convenience store at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Casey’s received approval for a 4,569 square foot convenience store, a dozen fueling stations, and 14 parking sparces on the 8.13 acre parcel. According to the plans, there will only be right turn in and right turn out access on Highway 29 and a full access connection to Highway 97 with a turn lane Casey’s will be on the northwest corner of the intersection, across Highway 97 from the existing Tom Thumb.
Casey’s is the third largest convenience store and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States. Last year, Casey’s announced the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion for 198 stores.
According to DRC documents, Casey’s will still need approval from the Florida Department of Transportation for access to Highway 29 and Highway 97, both state roads. Building permits from the county will also be required.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Sparkie Harrison Automatically Elected As Only Candidate To Qualify For Century Council Seat
June 26, 2025
Only one candidate qualified for a vacant seat on the Century Town Council and was elected by default.
Lizbeth A. “Sparkie” Harrison was the first and only candidate to qualify for the seat. Earlier this year, she was defeated in a three-way race for another open council seat by John Bass.
According to a resolution approved by the Century Town Council, Harrison should be sworn into office 10 days following the certification of the July 29 election date.
“Since there is only one qualified candidate for Seat 5, there will be no Special Election on July 29,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender told NorthEscambia.com. “According to Florida law, the unopposed candidate is deemed to have voted for himself or herself at the general election and thus elected to the office.”
This month marked the second time Harrison sought election to the town council; she ran unsuccessfully for a different vacant council seat previously. She lost the three-way race to John Bass, who received 58.6% of the vote to her 20.3%.
Harrison, who has lived in Century and worked as a director of PSC Century Center for two years, is “driven by the desire to help others and enhance the quality of life for all who call Century home,” according to a letter she submitted to the town before the previous election. She holds a bachelor of science degree in human services from Tennessee Wesleyan University.
On May 6, Councilmember Sandra McMurray-Jackson resigned from Seat 5 for personal reasons. With more than six months remaining until the end of her term in January 2027, the town charter requires that the council set a special election and appoint a replacement to the five-member body. To date, the council has failed to appoint an interim replacement as required by the town charter.
Pictured: Lizbeth A. “Sparkie” Harrison addresses the Century Town Council in January 2025. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
First Responders Continue Donut Strike For Manna Today (With Donation Location List)
June 26, 2025
Area first responders will take part in the Donut Strike for Manna again today and Friday.
Each day of the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations.
In the North Escambia area, first responders will be at:
- Winn Dixie — 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix — 2180 West Nine Mile Road (Nine Mile at Pine Forest)
- Publix — 9251 University Parkway (Nine Mile at University)
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
For the complete list of locations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for Thursday, click here.
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters collect donations during the Donut Strike for Manna at Publix on University Parkway on Wednesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possession Of Machine Gun, Drugs
June 26, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking in large amounts of marijuana and possessing a loaded machine gun.
Antoine Booker, Jr., 21, received the sentence this week, according to John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The public should rest assured that law enforcement will not stand for armed drug traffickers endangering citizens in our streets. If you possess a machine gun to protect your drug trafficking operations, you should know that federal prison awaits you,” Heekin said.
Court documents state that on December 6, 2023, a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper was stopped at a red traffic light on Pensacola Boulevard at W Street when he observed a newer model Nissan Altima directly in front of him with dark tinted windows. He attempted a traffic stop for the tint violation.
The driver, later identified as Booker, rapidly accelerated and swerved left towards a K9 Trooper’s vehicle who just arrived to assist with the traffic stop. The driver then swerved right into a Circle K gas station located at 7950 Pensacola Blvd. As the vehicle entered the parking lot, the trooper observed what appeared to be a Ziploc-type bag with a light-colored powdery substance being tossed out of the window, and a pursuit followed.
The driver continued traveling through the Circle K parking lot northbound at speeds reaching 100 mph towards Broad Street. By this time, the K-9 Trooper became primary in the pursuit as the vehicle turned onto Pittman Ave from Broad Street. The driver continued south on Pittman Ave then east on Hope Drive. Troopers said Booker then ran a posted stop sign and turned right to continue south on Palafox St. The driver continued southbound at speeds reaching 100 mph, passed other innocent motorists in a no-passing zone and drove on the wrong side of the roadway multiple times. Booker then continued south and attempted to turn right into the Taco Rock 29 parking lot (5454 Pensacola Blvd) where he collided with a curb, and the vehicle overturned.
Booker crawled out and was caught in possession of the firearm. The firearm was a Glock 9-millimeter pistol, which was modified with a “conversion device” that rendered it an automatic firing machine gun. The machine gun contained 32 rounds of ammunition in its chamber and an extended high-capacity magazine. Law enforcement also located a large amount of marijuana, multiple digital scales for weighing and distributing the marijuana, and other illicit substances.
“Had it not been for law enforcement’s training and determination, this armed suspect would have undoubtedly wreaked havoc in Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “We are proud of the partnerships we’ve built with Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal prosecutors.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Florida Highway Patrol; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Tee Off In Chattanooga, Beat Lookouts 9-5
June 26, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored early and often on Wednesday night, beating the Chattanooga Lookouts 9-5 for their third consecutive win.
Kemp Alderman and Dalvy Rosario went deep, Johnny Olmstead finished a homer shy of the cycle, and Robby Snelling (W, 3-5) twirled 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball as the Blue Wahoos improved to 2-0 in the second half of the Southern League season.
Alderman’s homer in the first inning against Lookouts starter Jose Acuña (L, 6-5) set the tone for the rest of the night. Rosario extended the lead to 3-0 in the second inning with a two-run shot, and Olmstead sent a two-run triple high off the wall in left field for a 5-0 lead in the third inning. The five earned runs over 3.0 innings marked a season high for Acuña, whose 2.73 ERA entering the night had been the second-best in the league.
The Blue Wahoos added more against the Chattanooga bullpen, scoring a run in the fourth inning on a missed catch error from catcher Mat Nelson and extending their lead to 8-0 in the fifth inning on sacrifice flies from Shane Sasaki and Kemp Alderman. Nathan Martorella brought home another on an RBI fielder’s choice in the seventh inning to extend the Pensacola lead to 9-0.
Snelling scattered three singles over his dominant night, striking out seven men over 7.0 quiet frames without issuing a walk. It was more than enough for Pensacola’s Opening Day starter to earn a winning decision for the first time since April 16, and tied for the longest start of the 21-year-old lefty’s professional career.
Handed a 9-0 lead in the ninth, Luarbert Arias ran into trouble in his Blue Wahoos season debut. The righty allowed five runs in just 0.1 innings before Jesse Bergin (S, 4) came on to get the final two outs and secure a 9-5 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Lookouts on Thursday night. First pitch from AT&T Field in Chattanooga is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT
Atmore Police Make Arrest In Double Shooting That Claimed Teen
June 25, 2025
A 22-year-old Evergreen man has been charged with murder and attempted murder for an early Tuesday morning shooting in Atmore.
Tyler Hall is being held without bond in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center, and Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMinn said additional arrests are forthcoming.
Around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, the Atmore Police Department responded to Atmore Community Hospital for reported gunshot victims. They discovered 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore had passed away due to his injuries, and a second victim was flown to a trauma center with injuries that appeared to be non-life threatening. Police have not released the name or age of the second victim.
Officers determined the shooting occurred on Carver Avenue near 18th Avenue during a drag race, and they recovered “dozens” of spent shell casings. The investigation is continuing.
Escambia County High School in Atmore is offering counseling services Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FHP Charges Escambia Woman With DUI Manslaughter For Crash That Killed An Unrestrained Infant
June 25, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has charged 23-year-old Mi’Chaela Aaliyah Thomas of Pensacola with an at-fault DUI crash that claimed the life of an unrestrained infant in her vehicle.
FHP, with support from the U.S. Marshals, located and arrested Thomas on an active warrant stemming from a crash that occurred on April 23 in Escambia County. FHP stated Thomas was the at-fault driver in a fatal crash that involved the death of a 2-month-old child who was not restrained in the vehicle.
FHP said a 21-year old woman was backing out of a driveway as Thomas was traveling on Jackson Street with an unrestrained two-month-old girl. Thomas was intoxicated when she hit the other vehicle, troopers said.
Thomas was charged with DUI manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
New 11-Home ‘Betmark Place’ Subdivision Proposed For East Ten Mile Road
June 25, 2025
A new 11-home single family residential subdivision is planned for East 10 Mile Road.
The Betmark Place III Subdivision is proposed for a 2.835 acre lot at 200 East 10 Mile Road, at the corner of Ten Mile and Betmark roads.
There is currently a house on the property that was heavily damaged by fire on May 15 and a secondary structure. Plans show that both will remain. The new proposed lots will face the existing Betmark Road or Millbrook Drive.
According to documents filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee, the engineer for the project want to discusss using an existing retention pond at Ashton Brosnaham for the stormwater runoff.