Second Suspect Arrested For Fatal Triple Shooting In Century
December 3, 2020
The second suspect in a fatal triple shooting in Century was arrested Wednesday night.
Tacorius Cordale Stallworth, 22, was booked into the Escambia County Jail at 10:30 p.m. on charges of first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, and aggravated battery.
Jaran Britt Myles, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday night at the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road. He was jailed without bond on charges including first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
RELATED STORY: Myles Was Recently Released From Prison For 2015 Manslaughter
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting about 11:35 p.m. Monday in the 8200 block of Alger Road, just off North Century Boulevard.
Arrest reports obtained by NorthEscambia.com offer new insight into the fatal triple shooting:
The victim, Joseph Christopher Smith, was found shot to death outside a shed near the mobile home. Multiple shell casings were found near the body, in the shed and leading away from the body. The inside of the shed had a couch, several chairs, tables and lamp. The items were in a state of disarray with the lamp glass shattered.
Two other adult males, Xavier Demarquese Walker and Lavor Chante Johnson were sitting near the mobile home when deputies arrived; both had been shot. They were transported by Escambia County EMS and Flomaton Medstar ambulance to a Pensacola hospital for treatment.
Walker stated he was seated in his vehicle when three males approached him, pointed guns at him and told him to get out of the vehicle. He said the black males “slapped him down” and put in a gun in face, saying “Don’t say nuthin, don’t make a noise”. Walker told investigators that he told them that he did not have “nuthin”. He told investigators that he recognized “Run-Run”, the street name used by Myles, and Stallworth, but did not recognize the third male.
Walker said the gunmen walked him over to the shed and told him to knock on the door and say “It’s Xa”. Walker stated that when the door opened, the three suspects pushed past him and went inside. Walker said he “freaked out”, the report states, and jumped on the ground where he was shot in the leg by Stallworth.
The suspects took Smith outside the shed before shooting him multiple time because of money, Walker stated.
Johnson told investigators that he was walking back from the store when he was picked up in a vehicle driven by Smith. He said he went inside the shed with Smith when someone knocked on the door and said “it’s Xa”. Smith opened the door, and the three male suspects entered the shed.
The report states Johnson said one of the men pointed a gun directly at his head and then shot him in the leg. They then started shooting in all directions inside the shed, striking Walker in the leg.
One of the suspect said “Where’s the money” to Smith, who replied “Ain’t no money. Johnson stated that the males took Smith outside, and he heard numerous gunshots.
Johnson told deputies that after the males shot Smith, they began celebrating by firing their guns and yelling, “Yeah, we caught that [expletives] slackin” before fleeing the scene.
After receiving a tip Tuesday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office caught up with Myles as he walked out of the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road in Gonzalez. Deputies gave him loud verbal commands, but he turned and walked back inside the store. The deputies drew their service weapons, entered the store and continued to give loud verbal commands. Myles entered one of the aisles and made movements near products on the shelf before placing his hands and surrendering, an arrest report states.
After and ECSO K-9 alerted on the vehicle, a search produced 24 MDMA pills, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, Alprazolam pills and suspected fentanyl.
A firearm was located inside the Liquor Cabinet.
Pictured: Deputies look for evidence at the scene of a of a triple shooting in Century as seen early Tuesday morning on Alger Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Verizon Seeking Approval For New Cell Tower Near Walnut Hill
December 3, 2020
Verizon Wireless is seeking Escambia County approval for a new cellular tower in the Walnut Hill area.
At 280 feet tall, the self-supporting tower would be constructed near the end of Wilma Road, just north of Highway 164 about two miles east of North Highway 99.
“Given the demand in this area, this tower is critical to increasing the coverage area and providing a reliable signal for residents and emergency responders within the area,” Verizon wrote in their Escambia County development application..
“This site was specifically chosen due to the minimal visual impact on the surrounding area and allow the facility to function in accordance with minimum standards and technical design, as well as the site falling into the desired search area,” the company continued.
The tower would be located on a leased 6,400 square foot portion of a parcel that is currently zoned for agricultural use.
Verizon must obtain approval of the Escambia County Development Review Committee, building permits and approval from various agencies before the tower could be built. There’s no guarantee that the tower will ever reach the construction phase.
Employee COVID-19 Cases Keep Century Town Hall Closed Longer Than Expected
December 3, 2020
The Century Town Hall will remain closed a little longer than expected after employees tested positive for COVID-19.
“We do have two employees who have tested positive for Covid and waiting the results of two in the office,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said.
The town hall was closed Tuesday and Wednesday and professional cleaned. And now a reopening date in uncertain.
The town hall could reopen as early as Monday, but that’s dependent on pending COVID-19 test results, Hawkins said. If that employee test is positive, town hall may not be able to open until an employee returns on December 10.
Pictured: The customer service window inside the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Here’s How To Check Your Sally FEMA Application (And Maybe A Way To Apply After The Deadline)
December 3, 2020
The deadline for individuals and households to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but work on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Sally continues.
Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents who registered with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:
- By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
- Using the FEMA App for smartphones
- Calling 800-621-3362.
Survivors who were unable to register before the December 1 deadline and who can provide justification for late registration may contact FEMA and request consideration for disaster assistance.
Woman Charged With Battery On Deputy And Nurse After Wreck
December 3, 2020
A Walnut Hill woman was charged with battery of a deputy and a nurse following a wreck.
Holly Mae Kelson, 36, was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and felony battery on a specified person.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of 6400 Rockaway Creek Road where a truck was wrecked into a fence and tree the night of November 28. Area residents advised they saw a male and female move the truck to a nearby residence.
After deputies located the truck, they made contact with five people, including Kelson, that were described as being intoxicated and uncooperative.
An ECSO arrest report states Kelson “was constantly screaming profanity and sexual references”.
“Kelson then pushed me on my upper body and shoulder area with her open hands and attempted to strike me in the face, but she missed,” the deputy wrote in her report.
After Kelson was taken into custody, she was transported to Baptist Hospital to be medically cleared. While at the hospital, she jumped off her hospital bed. As the deputy and a nurse attempted to place her back on the bed, she kicked at both. She kicked the nurse in his face, causing a cut on his mouth, the report states.
While still at the hospital Kelson told the deputy, “[Expletive], I’ll shoot you in the [expletive] face,” according to the report.
Escambia District Extends School Choice Application Deadline
December 3, 2020
The Escambia County School District has extended the school choice enrollment window for the next school year.
“We will continue to accept applications through Dec. 11th. Families need to know that we will be unable to accept any application after the new deadline,” said Chris McFarland, ECSD’s coordinator of Student Assignment, Home Education and Student Records. “This application period is for middle and high schools only, the elementary application window will open Jan. 25th.”
For families who are still reaching a decision, a recording of this year’s virtual School Choice Expo is still available. The virtual live event can be found on the district’s website. Scroll down to find the logos for each ECSD middle and high school and open a list of all of the academies at each school.
For more information, contact the ECSD School Choice Office at schoolchoice@ecsdfl.us, call (850) 469-5580, or visit their office located in the J.E. Hall Center at 30 East Texar Drive in Pensacola. The office is open weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pictured: The recent Escambia County School District’s School Choice Expo.
No Serious Injuries In Molino Wreck; One Vehicle Grazed Building
December 2, 2020
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash late Wednesday afternoon in Molino.
The collision occurred at Highway 29 and Molino Road about 4:30 p.m. One of the vehicles then grazed an unoccupied building near the southeast corner of the intersection.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Monday’s Century Triple Shooting Homicide Suspect Was Recently Released From Prison For 2015 Manslaughter
December 2, 2020
A Century triple shooting homicide suspect arrested Tuesday night was just released from prison after serving time for a 2015 shooting death.
Jaran Britt Myles, 26, is charged with first degree homicide, home invasion robbery, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is accused in the shooting of three people Monday night in Century, one of which died at the scene on Alger Road.
Myles was released from state prison in March after completing a sentence for a January 2015 shooting in Century. He was to remain on felony probation until 2026, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
At age 21, Myles pleaded no contest and was sentenced to prison for manslaughter with a firearm for the January 31, 2015, shooting death of 20-year old Jonathan Ray Wilson on Backwoods Road in Century.
In 2015, a witness told deputies that “Run Run”, later identified as Myles, pulled out a gun and asked him if he was scared of it before taking the magazine out of the weapon and pointing it him. Myles then pulled the trigger of the gun, without the magazine, but it “dry fired”, he said.
The witness said Myles then pointed the gun to Wilson’s head after loading the magazine back into the gun. Wilson then adjusted the height of the gun to his head, “correcting the placement of the gun pointed at him”. The witness said when Wilson let go of the gun, Myles pulled the trigger and shot Wilson in the head.
As a high school sophomore, Myles was a member of the 2012 state champion Northview High School football team and was named “Mr. Versatile” during a team awards banquet.
Pictured: The scene of a January 31, 2015, fatal shooting on Backwoods Road in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Five Arrested In CARES Act Fraud Case, Including Man That Bought A Corvette
December 2, 2020
Five people have been arrested for their alleged involved in CARES Act fraud, including on the purchase a Corvette.
Antonio Slocum Jr., Megan Slocum, Ari’obasi Jenkins, Alyssa Cole, and Elijah Simmons were all charged with grand theft and scheme to defraud. Daniel Cole was also arrested for unrelated drug charges.
On Tuesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served seven search warrants throughout Escambia County involving CARES Act fraud. Five suspects were arrested for stealing victims’ identities and information to obtain CARES Act loans and defrauding financial institutions if amounts from $4,000 to $70,000.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We anticipate many more days of investigation and many more arrests. It is infuriating that the money intended to help those in need was used and fraudulently obtained in this manner,” said Chief Deputy Chip Simmons.
According to investigators, the suspects would apply and receives CARES Act loans and open accounts at financial institutions including Navy Federal with the intent to scheme and defraud. Jenkins allegedly used stolen funds to purchase a 2017 Corvette.
While serving the search warrants, the ECSO seized 50 fraudulent bank cards, nine firearms, and over 600 other pieces of evidence.
The investigation was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, ATF, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Department of Homeland Security, Pensacola Police Department, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Corrections, and US Postal Inspector . The Navy Federal Credit Union security team also assisted.
Rachel Venable Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of The Year
December 2, 2020
Rachel Venable has been named the Teacher of the Year at Molino Park Elementary School. She currently teaches language arts and social studies to students in the fourth grade. Venable has been at Molino Park since 2007. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.