FBI: Over 500 Interviews Completed In 24/7 NAS Pensacola Shooting Investigation
December 17, 2019
Over 500 interviews have been completed in connection with the deadly shootings on NAS Pensacola.
The FBI says with help from law enforcement partners included NCIS and ICE, the investigation is continuing 24 hours a day, seven days a week “to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of the attacker’s motivations and any possible network of associates”.
Joshua K. Watson, Mohammed S. Haitham and Cameron S. Walters died in the shootings, while eight others have now been released from the hospital.
Gunman Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a Saudi flight student, was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shakedown At Escambia (AL) Jail Finds Little Contraband. It Was Much Different In February.
December 17, 2019
Another shakedown was conducted Monday at the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton, the second under Sheriff Heath Jackson.
More than 40 Escambia County (AL) deputies and correctional officers along with correctional officers from Baldwin County secured and searched the entire jail.
Officers found a small amount of fermented fruit, a small amount of tobacco and two small handmade weapons, according to Jackson. No cellphones were located.
It was much different back in February when the same type search was conducted and officers located four homemade knives, 13 cellphones, six phone chargers, a quantity of tobacco, a bag of spice, four cigarette lighters, six books with hidden compartments and one tattoo gun. Seven inmates were charged with promoting prison contraband.
“Although a few small items were located, I am proud of the overall lack of contraband found,” Jackson said after Monday’s search as his praised his officers and command staff. “The search shows that even though there is still work to be done, we are on the right track. Our corrections officers are working hard to keep illegal items out of our jail and to keep it safe. I am very proud that in the last 10 months, the officers have been able to change the way business was being conducted.”
Pictured: A February shakedown at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Play Redzone Games On Falcons Field In Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 17, 2019
The freshmen and junior Northwest Escambia football teams had a chance to play Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons Field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and NWE cheerleaders were able to perform midfield.
The freshmen Chiefs were (3-1) in the 2-minutes Redzone games, and the junior Chiefs were (2-1-1).
The freshmen and junor NWE teams both won league championships this year, and the freshmen won a Turkey Bowl Championship.
Pictured top: NWE freshmen football at the Atlanta Falcons field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pictured below in descending order: NWE juniors, junior cheerleaders, freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s NCAA Football Championship Tickets Now On Sale
December 17, 2019
In just four years of the program’s existence, the University of West Florida Argonauts will head to the national title game for the second time.
Tickets for the 2019 Division II Football Championship National Championship game featuring UWF against Minnesota State this Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas are currently on sale.
Tickets are available for purchase now! UWF has access to 2,000 reserved and general admission tickets, with all tickets being located in prime locations directly behind their bench on the visitors side. Reserved seats are chairback and $25 each. General Admission seats are bench seating and $20. Children 2 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Click here and look for UWF sections to purchase your tickets online. If you wish to select specific seats directly behind the UWF bench, click the ‘Buy on Map’ link and use the promo code ‘VISITOR’ to access those seats. When purchasing tickets, note that the Argonauts will be on the visitor’s side of the field.
For seating questions, contact Shannon Frazier with McKinney ISD at 469-302-4186
Gates will open at 12:30 Central Time. McKinney ISD Stadium ticket offices are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Both ticket offices will open at 12:30 CT. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 CT.
There is a $10 parking fee at McKinney ISD Stadium.
MISD STADIUM REGULATIONS
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the east side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- Only vendors with prior approval may distribute information/merchandise at MISD stadium.
- No pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All MISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
MISD stadium has a no-bag policy beginning fall of 2018.
EVENT COVERAGE: The championship game will be televised on ESPNU. Radio coverage can also be heard live on the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM Live stats will be available at GoArgos.com.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
International Paper Makes Donation To Ronald McDonald House
December 17, 2019
International Paper stopped by the Ronald McDonald House Open House to present a $7,500 donation.
“We are incredibly grateful for their support and so many more families will find their home-away-from-home because of their amazing giving,” Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing Pickup, Kidnapping
December 16, 2019
A Cantonment man was charged with stealing a pickup truck and kidnapping .
Keith Murray, 35 was booked into the Escambia County Jail for felony kidnapping false imprisonment and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a carjacking complaint on Lepley Road where the victim told deputies he was riding around with Murray when they stopped at a gas station and purchased alcoholic beverages. After exiting the store, Murray drove the victim’s 1994 Ford F150 despite objections from the victim. The victim told deputies he felt Murray would harm him.
As they drove around, Murray told the victim he could have him killed, according to an arrest report. Back at a residence, Murray ordered the victim to order a pizza and informed him that he was “kidnapped”, the report states, before calling out to an an unidentified person in the house “do you want to kill this [expletive]“.
The victim told deputies he feared harm and fled into a wooded area to call 911.
A deputy located the victim’s Ford pickup broken down on Detroit Boulevard near Highway 29 along with Murray.
The arrest report notes Murray was very hostile, vulgar and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
Murray was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Navy Posthumously Advances NAS Pensacola Shooting Victims
December 16, 2019
The Navy posthumously advanced Airman Mohammed S. Haitham and Airman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters to Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 3rd Class.
Haitham and Walters, along with Ens. Joshua K. Watson, were killed during the Dec. 6 shooting at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
“These sailors exhibited the finest warrior ethos and quick decision-making that undoubtedly saved many lives,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly. “They took action when it was needed most, with the same skill and professionalism that they’d exhibited throughout their service to our nation.”
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday expressed similar sentiments.“These young Sailors represent the best of who we are as a Navy,” Gilday said. “It is right and fitting that we posthumously advance them to petty officers.”
Earlier this week, Modly proclaimed Haitham and Walters as naval aircrewmen by awarding them their Wings of Gold. He also proclaimed Watson as a naval aviator, and awarded him Wings of Gold as well.
Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical are members of a fixed-wing integrated-tactical crew who perform primary in-flight and ground duties as aircraft flight engineers/crew chiefs, loadmasters, reel operators and aircraft readiness managers.
NASC provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development, and professional leadership to prepare Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and partner nation officers and enlisted students to be combat quality aviation professionals, and deliver them at the right time, in the right numbers, to be the forces their nation needs.
A Christmas Tradition: Santa Claus Rolls Through Beulah On Fire Truck
December 16, 2019
It’s a Beulah tradition…Santa Claus rolled through the Beulah area Saturday on top a fire truck.
Santa Claus visited almost every street with the help of the firefighter elves from the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Photos courtesy Beulah Volunteer Fire Department for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Names Students Of The Month
December 16, 2019
Ransom Middle School has named Students of the Month for November. They are Eva Grissom and Grayson Jackson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Slip 6 Cents Over The Past Week
December 16, 2019
Florida drivers enjoyed a slight decline at the pump over the last week with average price per gallon of regular unleaded down 6 cents.
The state average was at $2.46, 8 cents per gallon more than last month, and 16 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.40 in Escambia County, 3 cents over a month ago and up 11 cents from one year ago. One Cantonment station and several others in Pensacola were at $2.28 Sunday night.