Teens Indicted For Premeditated Murder In Brutal Death of Girl, 14, In Santa Rosa County
December 20, 2025
Two Santa Rosa County teens will be tried as adults for the brutal murder of a 14-year old.
Gabriel Williams, 16, and Kimahri Blevins, 14, have both been indicted on charges of first-degree premeditated murder.
On December 1, 14-year-old Danika Troy was reported as a runaway after she was last seen on November 30.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said they carried out a plan to shoot Troy and burn her body.
About 11 p.m. on December 2, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office located a burned body in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace. Due to the condition of the body, immediate identification could not be determined.
On December 3, 2025, while conducting further follow up interviews, investigators determined the body was that of Troy and developed Williams and Blevins as suspects. After interviews and examination of evidence, the teens were charged.
Williams and Blevins are currently being held without bail in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Escambia Man Convicted Of Murdering Woman, 70, Before Police Chase
December 20, 2025
An Escambia County man has been convicted for murdering a 70-year old woman before a chase that killed one of his accomplanches in 2024.
Terrance Lovelle Gross, Jr. was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, shooting into a building or vehicle, and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer (siren and lights activated with high speed or reckless driving).
On the evening of June 24, 2024, Gross was one of three defendants who perpetrated a drive-by shooting on Erress Boulevard where Myra Hayes was sitting in her front yard with her family, according to presecutors The shooting covered an entire block of a residential area and Myra Hayes was shot in the neck and later died from her injuries. A family member witnessed a small white car and noticed a black gun extended from the window. Shell casings show there were at least two different firearms used during the shooting.
The white vehicle, which was found to be stolen, was quickly spotted by nearby law enforcement and a chase ensued. This chase was at very high speeds and the defendants crossed into oncoming traffic several times. Several pit maneuvers were performed and finally successful in stopping the defendants as they attempted to cross the bridge into Santa Rosa County.
The three defendants fled the vehicle and then jumped off the bridge and into the water below. Trevion Moton was found deceased under the bridge due to the impact after he jumped. Gross escaped the scene and was later located in a Texas hospital being treated for his injuries from the jump. He was extradited back to Escambia County.
Gross faces a mandatory life sentence in state prison. A sentencing hearing is set for January 21, 2026 before Judge Amy Brodersen.
Another defendant, Jaquaris Ethridge is due back in court in late February on a first-degree premeditated murder
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In 2024 Log Truck, Propane Truck Crash That Killed Molino Girl
December 19, 2025
One year after 12-year-old Sofia Bennett of Molino died in a multi-vehicle crash in Pace, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against several companies involved in the wreck.
Sofia’s mother, Sandra Bennett-Tidwell, and John Tidwell filed the lawsuit against Timber Contractors Trucking, Parker Gas Company, Inc., and J.E. Estes Wood Company, Inc.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. December 18, 2024, on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The wreck involved a log truck, a propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of Sofia Bennett, who was a passenger in an SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette woman, was also seriously injured. The driver of the propane delivery truck and the driver of the second SUV were not injured.
“One year ago today, a young life was taken in a crash that never should have happened,” Attorney Rachael Gilmer of the Levin Papantonio law firm said Thursday. She is representing the plaintiffs in the civil action. “No verdict, no settlement, and no courtroom can return a daughter to her family, but accountability is the only way we honor her memory and ensure that this kind of negligence does not claim another life.”
According to the complaint filed Thursday morning in Santa Rosa County Circuit Court, Sofia was traveling in the front seat of the vehicle her mother was driving on Quintette Road in Santa Rosa County. Chadwick Daniels was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Parker Gas, and Kathryn Shiver was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Timber Contractors. The complaint also states defendant J.E. Estes was handling logistics for the delivery of timber from Timber Contractors.
The lawsuit alleges that, “without cause or warning,” Shiver rear-ended Bennett-Tidwell’s vehicle, which then collided into the Parker Gas truck and became sandwiched between it and the Timber Contractors truck. The Parker Gas truck was allegedly stopped and waiting to make an illegal turn onto Tunnel Road.
The plaintiffs allege that as employers of Shiver and Daniels, Timber Contractors Trucking and Parker Gas Company breached their duty of care, and J.E. Estes negligently breached its duty of care.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Crashes Into Highway 168 Ditch
December 19, 2025
A woman was not seriously injured when she crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The woman lost control on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99. Her Chevrolet Malibu traveled through a ditch, struck a concrete culvert and landed in a residential driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the 3:15 p.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Is At Noon Saturday
December 19, 2025
The annual Beulah Christmas Parade will be this Saturday, December 20 at nooon.
The parade will begin at Windy Hill Baptist Church on Rebel Road. It will then travel south on Rebel Road, to West Nine Mile Road, to Beulah Road, to Helms Road, to Mobile Highway, continuing through Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge, and Frank Reeder, and then return to Windy Hill Baptist on Rebel Road. For a map provided by organizers, click here.
The parade was rescheduled from December 6 due to weather.
Pictured: The 2024 Beulah Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Share Christmas Food Distribution Saturday In Walnut Hill
December 19, 2025
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will host a Farm Share Food Giveaway in Walnut Hill on Saturday.
The Christmas distribution will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last at Bradberry Park, 4760 Highway 99A.
Pictured: A 2024 food distribution in Walnut Hill. File photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits Molino Library
December 19, 2025
Santa made a special visit to the Molino Library on Thursday.
Children were able to take photos with him and share their Christmas wish lists before making Christmas crafts.
For a photos gallery, click here.
Santa has one more library store this year — Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library on Spring Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Holiday With The Horses’ (And Santa) Will Be Saturday In Cantonment
December 19, 2025
Santa Claus recently paid a surprise visit to the horses at the Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment and he’ll be back on Saturday for “Holidays with Horses.”
The event is free and open to the public, taking place at PER, 3099 East Chipper Road in Cantonment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
During the event, photos with Santa will be available with a suggested donation of $20.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged As ‘Super Speeder’ For 102 MPH On Highway 29
December 18, 2025
A 21-year-old Cantonment man was charged under Florida’s “super speeder” law after troopers say he was clocked at 102 mph in a 45 mph zone on Highway 29.
Andrew Thomas Heck was charged with operating a vehicle exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was northbound on Highway 29 near Nine Mile Road when he met a red passenger vehicle that was traveling at 102 mph in the posted 45 mph zone, according to an FHP report. The trooper conducted a traffic stop just north of Nine Mile Road.
He was immediately placed under arrest. Heck, according to the report, told the trooper that he had “no reason to be going that fast.”
Ascend Cares Delivers Christmas Magic To Escambia Westgate Students
December 18, 2025
The Pensacola Ascend Cares teams took part in a Christmas Parade for the very special students at Escambia Westgate School.
The volunteers brought holiday light and laughter, along with a gift for over 130 students from their personal wish lists. Each gift was hand-delivered with love from Santa, and Mrs. Claus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
