Continuance Granted In Federal Trial For Walnut Hill Man With Alleged Manifesto, Killing Spree Target List
November 13, 2025
A continuance was granted this week in federal court for a Walnut Hill man who accidentally shot himself near Walnut Hill in July.
Joshua Dean Hardy, 26, was indicted in federal court for two counts of unlawful possession of firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA), namely two unregistered and unserialized silencers and a destructive device, and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Local charges against Hardy were dropped after the federal charges were filed.
He was set for trial on Monday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola, but a motion to continue was granted. Hardy is now set for trial on December 15.
Hardy’s attorney, Randall Lockhart, requested the continuance to “review and finalize plea documentation with Mr. Hardy”, according to court documents.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho ordered Hardy held without bond until trial because there are “no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.” He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Federal court documents state that investigators found documents including a multipage document titled ‘Manifesto’ on his laptop.
“This is it, this is my final words of this whole ordeal,” is how the document begins, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a list of names, some of which are names of known family members.
The document then says “All of these [expletive] pukes seek to destroy my ass in my prime then i’ll give them what they want, it isn’t the so called hidden names like they want but a tombstone like i told them**”**, according to investigators.
“Later in the document, it goes on to explain that he is going to begin his killing spree and identifies the ‘targets’,” court records state.
He had been charged locally with three counts of making and/or possession of a destructive device, use of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.
Hardy accidentally shot himself shortly after 3 a.m. on July 23 while walking in the woods on family property at 5000 Sandy Hollow Road, just off West Highway 4. His grandmother told deputies that she received a call about 3:15 a.m. from Hardy**, stating he** had tripped while walking on their property with his rifle and he had shot himself in the leg. She picked him up and drove him to Atmore Community Hospital.
At the emergency room in Atmore, Hardy told deputies that he often walks their 22-acre property because he does not like people there, the report states. He said he stepped in a hole and dropped his rifle, accidentally grabbing it as it fell by the trigger and shot himself. He was adamant that he was not shooting at anyone and had no intent of harming himself.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy suffered a serious gunshot wound that shattered his tibia and fibula and nearly took his left big toe.
New Traffic Center Will Manage 380 Signalized Intersections In Escambia, Santa Rosa
November 13, 2025
A groundbreaking was held on Wednesday in Escambia County for a new Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) that will serve the Florida–Alabama TPO region.
The new center will enhance regional safety and reliability by enabling real-time traffic management, faster incident detection, coordinated responses with law enforcement and emergency services, and on-the-fly signal timing optimization across more than 380 signalized intersections in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area.
For more photos, click here.
The goal is a safer, smoother, and smarter trip for the traveling public across the region.
The facility will include operator workstations and a large-scale video wall for situational awareness and traveler information, improving traffic congestion management across the roadway network in the region.
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry gave remarks at the event, highling the benefit of improved traffic management across the region for efficiency and safety.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with operations beginning in 2026-2027. The center, located on W Street behind the Escambia County Public Safety building, will cost about $20 million, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Pictured top: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner and TPO Chairman Steven Barry at the groundbreaking of a new traffic management center in Escambia County on Wednesday. Also pictured: More photos from the groundbreaking ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Double Stabbing
November 13, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder of two people.
Circuit Court Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Jacobia Ladraina Newberry to 25 years in state prison for two counts of attempted second degree murder with a weapon.
On the morning of August 3, 2024, two victims with life threatening stab wounds arrived at Baptist Hospital.
Investigators located Newberry with a cut finger, and he stated that he stabbed one victim in self-defense.
The injuries suffered by the victims were horrific, and the trauma surgeon stated both were lucky to be alive given the severity of the injuries and amount of blood loss suffered by both, according to prosecutors. One victim suffered slashes and stabs to the neck. The female victim was stabbed near the carotid artery and lost nearly 40% of her blood before going into surgery.
Based on the evidence presented at trial, the defendant’s assertion that he nearly killed one victim in self-defense was refuted. Prosecutors said the victims were not armed, and the defendant was suspected of being under the influence of drugs when he attacked both victims.
SEC Recognizes Five Escambia County Teachers
November 13, 2025
The Southeastern Conference recognized five Escambia County teachers during the championship game of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton-Brosnaham Park.
- Brandi Ziglar, Lipscomb Elementary, fourth year of teaching
- Amanda Byers, McArthur Elementary, 13th year of teaching
- Jazmine Benson, Ferry Pass Elementary, 8th year of teaching
- Kenneth Atklinson, Beulah Middle School, 21st year of teaching
- Gena Keszthelyi, Longleaf Elementary, 40th year of teaching
Each teacher will receive a $500 DonorsChoose gift card to fund projects, to assist them with teaching and benefit their students.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cottage Hill Water Works: Boil Water Notice For Williams Ditch Road
November 12, 2025
UPDATE: This boil water notice was rescinded Friday afternoon, November 14.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for 24-625 Williams Ditch Road due to a water main break.
There was a water main break at 230 Williams Ditch Road on Wednesday. Neighboring streets may experience low water pressure. Crews were working as quickly as possible to make the necessary repairs.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For more information, contact the utility’s office at at (850) 968-5485
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Amazing Sight: Northern Lights Over North Escambia Area
November 12, 2025
North Escambia area residents were treated to a rare sight Tuesday night. The dazzling display of the aurora borealis was visible across the area, especially in more rural locations away from city lights.
The experience, commonly called the northern lights, was caused by an extreme solar storm.
For more reader submitted photo, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos from Bratt (above, by William Reynolds) and Molino (below, by Perry Doggrell),click to enlarge.
Veterans Services Outreach On Thursday In Molino
November 12, 2025
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold an outreach event on Thursday, November 13 in Molino.
Veterans are invited to discuss veteran benefits with an accredited veteran service officer from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 North Highway 95A.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and re-evaluating VA disability.
For more information, call (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com.
Lipscomb Elementary School Honors Local Veterans (With Gallery)
November 12, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School recently honored local veterans.
The school created an honor wall, held a veterans parade and presented a special program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Battery Of His Parents
November 12, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged in connection with a domestic disturbance that injured both of his parents, requiring hospitalization.
Ryan Christopher Cramer, 30, was charged with two counts of felony battery. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $4,000 bond.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence shortly after noon on Sunday after receiving a report of a male who had attacked a female family member and was “going crazy.” Upon arrival, deputies found Cramer’s mother and father at the home, both bleeding and suffering from multiple injuries to their faces, heads, and arms.
According to the arrest report, the incident began following a dispute over a mess in the bathroom. The situation escalated rapidly when Cramer allegedly became extremely angry, grabbed his mother, and violently threw her to the ground. She struck her head on the bathtub, which reportedly caused a severe jaw injury and a momentary loss of consciousness.
When his father ran into the bathroom, Cramer is accused of attacking him, striking him repeatedly in the face and pushing him out of the room. Both parents were treated on the scene and subsequently transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Cramer fled the scene on foot before deputies arrived but was located shortly thereafter by circulating units near the intersection of Kingsfield Road and Highway 297A. Upon being detained, the suspect told a deputy that he had not taken his prescribed medication that day and became very angry after smoking a cigarette.
Jim Allen Elementary Thanks Veteran Heroes
November 12, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School honored veterans recently.
The school held a special program, a veterans parade, and created a Wall of Heroes.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
