Navy Suspends Flight Training For Saudi Students Following NAS Pensacola Shooting
December 10, 2019
The U.S. Navy has temporarily suspended flight training for over 300 Saudi Arabian students following last week’s deadly shooting at NAS Pensacola.
Saudi Flight student Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani shot and killed three sailors and injured eight others Friday morning.
The order impacts about 140 students at NAS Pensacola, 35 at nearby Whiting Field and nearly 130 at NAS Mayport.
Navy Commander Clay Doss says classroom training is starting this week, and flight training for other students will resume. He says it’s not clear how long the flight stand-down for the Saudi students will continue
Saudi Defense Attaché Meets With Saudi Students At NAS Pensacola
December 10, 2019
On Monday, Saudi Arabia Defense Attaché Major General Fawaz Al Fawaz (second from right) met with the Saudi students who remain restricted to the NAS Pensacola base by their Saudi commanding officer.
“The FBI and our partners appreciate the continued cooperation by the Saudi government as our investigation continues,” the FBI said in a statement.
Photo for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Now Off Lockdown; Suspect Manhunt In Area
December 10, 2019
Tate High School was placed a precautionary lockdown Tuesday morning, but that lockdown has now been lifted.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to serve a battery domestic violence arrest warrant on an individual in the area near the campus when the suspect fled, according to ECSO Maj. Andrew Hobbs. The suspect did not run onto the campus.
The Tate campus was put on a “code yellow” lockdown.
A description of the suspect was not immediately available, and there was no word on his capture.
Pictured: An Escambia County deputy on the perimeter of a manhunt area Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FBI: Saudi National NAS Shooter Was Able To Legally Purchase Gun; ABC Reports It Was Sold In Escambia County
December 10, 2019
The FBI is explaining more about how the Saudi national NAS Pensacola shooter was able to legally purchase a gun in Florida, and a national news agency is reporting it was bought from and Escambia County dealer.
Shooter Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force, purchased the Glock Model 45 9mm handgun on July 20, 2019, from a federal firearms licensed dealer in Florida, FBI Public Affairs Office Amanda Videll said late Tuesday morning. “The preliminary investigation into the firearm purchase has not revealed any information to suggest that the sale was unlawful.”
ABC News is reporting the gun was purchased at Uber’s Lock and Gun located on West Fairfield Drive near 57th Avenue. The FBI has confirmed the gun was purchased in Florida, but has not confirmed the exact location.
“The exception under which (Alshamrani) qualified to purchase a firearm was a valid Florida hunting license, but he may have qualified under other exceptions as well,” Videll said. “Under federal law, an alien who is admitted to the US under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from having a gun and ammo unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided.”
Alshamrani opened fire Friday morning in a classroom building on NAS Pensacola, killing three sailors – Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 21; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19; and Airmen Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21. Eight others were wounded before Alshamrani was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Picture: Uber’s Lock & Gun on West Fairfield Drive. Photos courtesy Chorus Nylander/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s Garbage Fund Made A $50K Profit Last Year. Now They Want To Raise Rates.
December 10, 2019
The Century council will hold a special meeting Wednesday to consider hiking garbage rates despite their garbage fund showing a profit over $50,000 last year.
The town’s garbage fund posted a 33 percent profit on the books during the fiscal year ending September 30. Most of that profit was siphoned away to to help bail out a troubled gas fund that still lost $222,304.
The town currently pays Republic Services $14 per resident per month for a single 95 gallon can pick up per week, plus varying fees for commercial customers. Century currently charges residential customers $23.19 for garbage and debris service.
Republic is exercising a provision of their contact that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town by 3.1% to match the Consumer Price Index.
Last fiscal year, the garbage fund billed $148,998.99 and spent $98,111.66. Of the $50,927.33 profit remaining in the garbage fund, the town transferred out $41,000 to the gas fund, according to year end financial documents. That left a positive balance of $9,927.33 in the gas fund at the end of the fiscal year.
The special council meeting to consider the garbage service rate increase will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Strangulation, Aggravated Battery
December 10, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for a violent attack on a woman.
Larry Lydell Saulsberry, Jr., 40, entered a plea to tampering with a witness involving the prosecution of a second degree felony, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and grand theft auto.
On July 15, 2018, the victim was leaving work when the Saulsberry called her to come pick him up. After the victim picked him up, the two returned home. Once in the house, Saulsberryt began to ask the victim for the keys to her vehicle. The victim refused to give him the keys. This caused Saulsberry to begin repeatedly punching the victim with a closed fist in the head.
During this time, the victim attempted to call law enforcement, but the Saulsberry forcefully took her phone away from her and forced her to remain in the residence. He then proceeded to grab the victim by her throat and began to apply force so great it restricted the victim’s ability to breathe.
Saulsberry then hit the victim again in the face, causing her to lose consciousness. After the victim lost consciousness, Saulsberry fled the scene at a high rate of speed in the victim’s vehicle. The victim suffered permanent scarring above her left eye, as well as permanent damage to her vision from the attack.
Saulsberry’s prior criminal history includes an aggravated assault on law enforcement officer with firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, grand theft auto, sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine, wearing a bulletproof vest while committing certain offenses, resisting an officer with violence, and resisting an officer without violence.
Firefighters Provide Helping Hand To Family Of Six That Lost Their Home To Fire
December 10, 2019
The volunteers of the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue recently gave a little help to a family of six that lost their house to fire last month.
They presented a gift card to the family to help them with essentials. The department raises funds throughout the year to support their effort to help fire victims.
The fire in 1000 block of Backwoods Road was reported just after 1 a.m. on November 21 and took about 40 minutes to bring under control. There were no injuries.
A GoFundMe account has also been established for the family. Click khere to donate. (The GoFundMe account is not affiliated with the fire department or NorthEscambia.com.)
Pictured. Century Assistant District Chief Chris Barrow presents a gift card to a local family that lost their home to fire. Photo for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: Their home was heavily damaged by fire November 21. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Incumbent District 5 School Board Member Prefiles For Another Term
December 10, 2019
Incumbent Escambia County School Board District 5 member William “Bill” Slayton, Jr. prefiled Monday to seek reelection for the nonpartisan job.
Slayton, a resident of Cantonment, was first elected to the school board in 2008, following an unsuccessful bid for school superintendent in 2004.
Fleet and Family Service Center Provides Support After NAS Pensacola Shooting
December 10, 2019
NAS Pensacola’s Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC) is doing its part to support those in need after the active shooter incident that resulted in the death of three sailors.
While FFSC offers services such as classes and education on a variety of topic areas, their counseling services for service members, their families and base residents who have been affected by these recent events have come to the forefront.
An Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) has been established within the FFSC and will remain available for as long as needed.
“Our EFAC is here to provide counseling services for those impacted by the recent tragic event,” said Kathleen Doherty, Ph.D., Fleet and Family Support Center director. “We want all the service members and families affected to know that counselors, advocates, and other crisis responders are here to listen and provide guidance as needed.”
When a traumatic event of this nature occurs, FFSC steps in for DoD-specific personnel needs.
“Our focus right now is recovery for everyone involved,” said Doherty. “FFSC counselors, chaplains and professionals from Naval Hospital Pensacola’s Mental health department are working together to ensure that everyone has access to services in order to protect their overall mental well-being.”
Items such as the Mini-Stress Survival Kit, a pamphlet discussing the Operation Stress Control continuum, and other materials are provided for those who choose to simply read and become more aware of what reactions are normal and which are not. For those who prefer to process their emotions verbally, counselors are available for consultation and guidance. FFSC is also in the process of providing get-well cards for those currently in the hospital recovering from injuries.
“We recognize that our active duty and their family members are strong and resilient people, but a shooting is a very rare and tragic event,” said Doherty. “It’s normal for some to react strongly and to have difficulty incorporating this experience into their daily lives. Our goal is to make sure that anyone who wants help processing their reactions can get it in a way that is comfortable and effective for them.”
The EFAC includes representatives from the American Red Cross, FBI Victim Services, the Navy Wounded Warrior Program, and other agencies who have resources for non-DOD beneficiaries.
Additionally, The Navy Surgeon General dispatched a special psychiatric rapid intervention team (SPRINT) from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia to provide counseling support.
For counseling, support and information for those affected by the active shooter incident, contact the FFSC at 850-452-5990.
Two Alabama Correctional Officers Placed On Leave After Inmate Deaths, Including One At Holman
December 10, 2019
Two correctional officers have been placed on leave follow the deaths of two inmates, including one at Holman Correctional in Atmore.
Holman Correctional Facility inmate, 48 year old, Willie Leon Scott, of Birmingham, was pronounced deceased on December 6 at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. Scott was serving a sentence of life without parole out of Jefferson County for murder. His injuries were the result of an incident that occurred on December 4 at Holman Correctional Facility. The circumstances related to Scott’s death are also the subject of an ongoing Intelligence and Investigations Division (I&I) investigation.
I&I law enforcement agents are also investigating the death of a 55 year old Ventress Correctional Facility inmate, Michael Smith of Fairfield, who, after being removed from life support, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Dale Medical Center on December. Smith’s cause of death is pending final autopsy results and the findings from I&I’s ongoing investigation.
Two two corrections officers were immediately placed on mandatory leave while I&I’s law enforcement agents investigate the case. While details regarding these cases are limited at this time, additional information will be made available at the conclusion of the investigations, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
“My department is taking swift and substantive action to create safer working and living conditions, better ensure policy adherence, and deter unacceptable behavior by both inmates and ADOC staff,” said ADOC Commissioner Dunn.
“To address use of force concerns, we are implementing an action plan and dispatching ADOC’s Training and Professional Development Division instructors to teach an on-the-job procedure refreshment course within our prisons to our correctional officers,” said Matthew Brand, ADOC Associate Commissioner of Administrative Services. “This action plan also integrates and expands ADOC’s Training, Professional Development, and Leadership Academy.”
“As with any case, we fully are committed to thoroughly and impartially investigating all the facts and allegations surrounding any inmate’s death,” said Arnaldo Mercado, ADOC I&I Director. “Upon completion of these investigations, the I&I Division will refer these matters to the appropriate district attorney’s office for review and consideration. We hold each member of our staff to the highest standards of law enforcement. Any ADOC employee who commits a violation will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”