Suspect In Cantonment Homicide Captured At Bus Stop In Phoenix
April 18, 2026
The suspect in a homicide last month in Cantonment has been arrested at a bus stop in Phoenix, Arizona.
Devaughn Kentrell Williamson, 29, was wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, March 4 in the 100 block of Booker Lane, just north of Booker Street.
He was located on Friday morning at a bus stop in Phoenix with a bus ticket in his pocket for El Paso, Texas, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. The sheriff said he had cut off his dreads, which were in a bag in his possession (pictured left), and he also had a handgun (pictured bottom).
He was captured with the assistance of a U.S. Marshals Task Force. He is being held in the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona, awaiting extradition back to Escambia County.
Deputies originally responded to Booker Lane after a report of “deadly missiles” and found blood and shell casings at the scene.
Deputies were working a missing persons case and developed Williamson as a suspect, which ultimately led to the discovery of the victim’s body.
Man Gets 15 Years For Fatally Shooting Teen At 2024 Cottage Hill Party
April 18, 2026
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter for the April 2024 fatal shooting of a 16-year-old at a party at a Cottage Hill home. He was also convicted of evidence tampering a concurrent sentence of just over 10 years.
Ethan Alexander O’Brien, now 21, will receive credit for 724 days served while awaiting trial. Once released, he will be on supervised probation for 15 years.
The investigation determined that during a large gathering at the residence, O’Brien, then 19, was showing off his firearm, at which time it discharged, hitting 16-year-old Bryson Allen (pictured below).
The incident happened about 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at a home in the 600 block of Wishbone Road.
The victim grabbed his side after being shot and said, “You just shot me bro” before falling to the ground, a witness told law enforcement. He said O’Brien had an “AR style” rifle and he was playing with it before the shooting.
Allen was pronounced deceased at the scene, and investigators said O’Brien fled the scene. The weapon was never found.
Pictured top: The scene on Wishbone Road in Cottage Hill late Friday night, April 12, 2024, after a teen was shot and killed. Pictured below: Crime scene tape still surrounded the home the following morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Claims District Championship With 2-1 Win Over Jay (With Gallery)
April 18, 2026
The Northview Chiefs won the Rural District 1 championship on Friday night, 2-1 over Jay in a game played at Central High School.
“It’s amazing, they worked so hard,” first-year Northview head coach Justin Raley said after the win over the Royals. Justin Raley had been an assistant coach the past three seasons at Jay, under the leadership of his father Duane Raley, who is now an assistant coach at Northview.
“This group of guys is special; they’ve bought in from day one, and they deserve every bit of this,” he added.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Bryant Mason earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings, walking two and striking out eight. Jack Boutwell opened on the hill for the Chiefs, allowing three hits and one unearned run in two innings, walking two and striking out one.
Landon Golden went five innings for the Royals, allowing one hit, two earned runs, striking out seven and walking six. Brison Nelson was on the mound for one inning, giving up one hit and walking two.
Mason and Boutwell had one hit each for Northview, while Bryant Mason and Luke Chavers had one RBI each. Bryson Morris had one RBI for Jay, while Nick Baxley went 2-3.
Northview (18-8, 3-0) will likely host a first round regional game. Jay (14-7, 2-2) will also likely have at at-large bid in the regional tournament, but possibly on the road.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Concrete Truck, SUV Collide On Highway 29 In Cantonment
April 18, 2026
At least one person was injured in a crash involving an SUV and a concrete truck on Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. on Highway 29 north of Ten Mile Road, near Dollar General.
Firefighters removed the doors from the vehicle to extricate the victim, who was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pace At Tate Softball Game Called Due To Serious Player Injury
April 18, 2026
Friday night’s Pace at Tate varsity softball game was called due to the injury of a Pace Lady Patriot.
Junior Kylie Reed was running to second base when she collided with the Tate second baseman. She was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS.
“Please keep our girl Kylie Reed in your thoughts and prayers,” Pace Softball posted on their social media Friday night. “She is in good spirits as of now, and is doing okay but in a lot of pain. We love you Kylie.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Pace High School Softball. Please keep their players, coaches, and family in your prayers,” Tate Softball posted. The Aggies’ second baseman was not injured.
For more photos from the beginning of the game, click here.
Before the game, the Tate Aggies honored retiring head coach Melinda Wyatt. We will have a complete story and photo gallery on Sunday morning on NorthEscambia.com.
Pace 3, Tate 0 (JV)
The JV Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 3-0 on Friday afternoon at Tate.
Middleton went five innings for Tate, giving up three unearned runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.
For photos from the end of the game, click here. (JV photos are the end of the gallery.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Sentenced On Federal Charge Related To 2024 Cantonment Shooting Incident
April 18, 2026
An Alabama man who was accused of shooting into a home on River Annex Road in Cantonment has now been sentenced to four years in federal prison.
Grant Bieber, age 45, of Gulf Shores, previously pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the 200 block of River Annex Road in October 2024.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Bieber and a female friend were outside a residence and tried to get inside. Bieber became angry and tried unsuccessfully to bust in a door, according to investigators. He then retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired into the residence, deputies said. There were no injuries.
Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to search Bieber’s truck, and located a box of .22-caliber ammunition and a wallet containing his Alabama driver’s license in the center console. He had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Bieber was first charged with attempted murder and a felony weapons offense for shooting into a home by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Those charges were later dropped at the state level when the federal charge was filed.
“Keeping our communities safe remains the highest priority, and removing dangerous criminals from our streets is how we will achieve that goal. I truly appreciate the excellent investigative work by our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who are on the front lines in the fight against crime, and my office will continue to back up their efforts with aggressive prosecutions to hold criminals accountable,” said John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Molino And Cantonment Suspects Charged After Stolen Guns Surface in Delaware
April 17, 2026
A Molino man and a Cantonment man are facing multiple felony charges after an investigation into stolen firearms led authorities from Florida to Delaware.
Christopher Michael Spruill, 30, of Molino, was arrested following a foot pursuit in a West Nine Mile Road parking lot . Spruill was wanted for a late February burglary at the Eight Mile Creek Road home of his step-parents, where six firearms were reportedly stolen from a bedroom closet and a garage toolbox . Following his arrest, deputies also found a fanny pack containing suspected synthetic cannabinoids (spice), a scale, and distribution baggie, according to an arrest report. Spruill wass charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, six counts of grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation expanded when Spruill admitted to investigators that he had taken five of the firearms to a residence near Olive Road and given four of them to a man named “Robert” in exchange for an $1,100 loan . Later, a detective from the New Castle County Division of Police in Delaware contacted local investigators after recovering one of the stolen weapons—a Windham AR-15—during a domestic violence search warrant at a home.
Delaware authorities also executed a search warrant on the Delaware suspect’s cellphone, uncovering text messages that linked the stolen guns to Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 32, of Cantonment, the arrest report states. The messages, dated between detailed Edgecumbe purchasing a black N-PAP AK-47 and a Taurus Judge .410 revolver from the Delaware man while he was in Pensacola . In the exchange, Edgecumbe reportedly acknowledged the risk of the transaction, stating, “I know, I know its Illegal in our hands”.
Edgecumbe was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted Florida felon.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County Jail, where Spruill is held with bond set at $86,000 and Edgecumbe remains with bond set at $50,000.
Pace Walks Off With With District Title 4-2 Over Tate
April 17, 2026
With a dramatic three-run homer, Pace walked off with the 6A District 1 championship 4-2 over Tate on Thursday night at Pace. It’s the sixth consecutive district title for the Patriots.
The Aggies outhit Pace six to five and held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Pace’s Cheshire hit a home run to left field to score three runs.
Nathan Connors went 3-4 with one RBI to lead the Aggies at bat, while Kaden Posta was 1-3 with one RBI.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lance Brady pitched six and two-thirds innings for Tate, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking none.
The Aggies are 20-7 overall, 2-2 in the district, and will have a likely slot in the regional quarterfinals. Pace is 23-4, 4-1 as they move into regionals with a guaranteed home field advantage.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Compost Available At Escambia County Equestrian Center
April 17, 2026
The Escambia County Equestrian Center has announced the availability of free compost for local residents. The material, which consists of horse manure and wood shavings, is being offered exclusively for personal use.
The program is structured as a self-service initiative. Interested individuals are required to bring their own shovels and containers, as the facility does not provide loading assistance.
Operational Guidelines
To ensure the orderly distribution of the material, the Equestrian Center has outlined several specific regulations:
- No Heavy Machinery: The use of personal or facility equipment, such as tractors or skid steers, is strictly prohibited. All loading must be done manually.
- Non-Commercial Use Only: The compost is intended for private residential use; commercial hauling and the resale of the material are not permitted.
- Material Restrictions: Officials stated that the public is only authorized to remove compost. Taking any other materials from the property is strictly forbidden.
Location and Access
The compost is located at the rear of the property in a large clearing within the wooded area.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com click toe enlarge.
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Grand Opening Date Set For Improved Beulah Regional Park
April 17, 2026
A grand opening date has been set for the Beulah Regional Park.
The public is invited to a grand opening and ribbon cutting event on Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. The event will take place at the park, located at 7820 Mobile Highway.
“I’m very excited to reopen Beulah Regional Park to the public, which is now better than ever after numerous upgrades and new amenities,” District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger said. “This park is a staple in the Beulah community, and I look forward to seeing families and children of all ages enjoy the new splash pad, pickleball courts, basketball court upgrades, and the many other improvements we’ve made throughout the park. I’d like to thank our Parks and Recreation staff for their hard work on this project, along with the public for their patience as the work was completed. I hope the Beulah community is proud of their new and improved park and will enjoy it for many years to come.”
Improvements to Beulah Regional Park include four new pickleball courts, a new splash pad, new basketball goals, new picnic table pavilions and grills, new fencing, and more. Several ADA upgrades were also made throughout the park, including the addition of two new ADA-compliant parking spaces, sidewalks to and from the parking lot, and improved connectivity to the existing amenities.
Drainage enhancements were also completed throughout the park to minimize areas with standing water and improve overall park aesthetics.
Additional upgrades were completed at the Beulah Senior Citizen Center, including a new basketball court, playground, and walking track resurfacing.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
