Witnesses Say Molino Wedding Reception Stabbing Victim Was The Aggressor, ECSO Report States
March 13, 2023
Multiple witnesses told authorities that a stabbing victim at a Molino wedding reception was the aggressor, and one man has been charged with the stabbing.
Deputies arrived to find the adult victim bleeding profusely on a bus parked in front of the private event venue in the 4300 block of Crabtree Church Road.
The victim, described as a man in his 60s, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after the incident just after 8 p.m.
Harold Alfonso Ramos-Feliz (pictured), age 53 of Ocala, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon on a $15,000 bond.
When Ramos-Feliz was taken into custody, he had a black folding knife with blood residue in his possession, according to the ECSO.
Witnesses told deputies that the victim was being aggressive toward Ramos-Feliz and other guests. The victim was being restrained by other guests and directed to the parking lot, according to an arrest report.
One witness told deputies he saw the victim causing problems with other guests when the victim approached him and punched him twice in the face. The man said he did not know the victim or know why he was attacked. He stated that he did not require medical attention and did not wish to pursue charges.
The owner of the wedding venue told deputies that the victim was causing problems with multiple guests. She said the victim “made threats that he has killed people and could kill someone as he is with the CIA”, an ECSO report states, and she demanded that he leave the property. She said the victim was then escorted outside by several of his relatives at which time the altercation with Ramos-Feliz and the stabbing occurred.
Ramos-Feliz’s statements to deputies were redacted from the arrest report provided by the State Attorney’s Office.
The victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital with serious injuries. An update on his condition was not available Monday.
Cold Case Symposium To Revisit Four Escambia Murders
March 13, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will hold a two-day cold case symposium this week as they seek to solve four murders, three of which are North Escambia related.
Anna Louise Brown, 38, was found dead on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino on April 30, 2017 (pictured above and inset). Brown, 38, was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered face down by the roadway. Investigators believe the murder was not a random act of violence, and they believe Brown knew the person that killed her. No suspect has been named by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home on January 2, 1981. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood. Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area where Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning in an area near Booker Street. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
Connie Annette Slaughter, 43, was found dead in the backyard of her home in the 400 block of East 10 Mile Road on the morning of December 10, 2010. She had been strangled to death.
Steven R. Davis was shot at a Winn Dixie at 400 North Navy Boulevard during the early morning hours of August 26, 1998. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his head and two to his back.
The symposium, to be held March 15-16, will enlist the expertise of retired certified law enforcement detectives in the area.
“We have a number of retired deputies and law enforcement professionals who have offered their expertise in the past,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “We look to take advantage of the years of experience these veteran law enforcement professionals bring. Just because someone is retired, doesn’t mean they have lost their experience and intuition. We hope that our current cold case investigators combined with volunteer experienced retirees can help close these cases and bring closure to the families.”
The ECSO considers a case to be cold when all leads have been exhausted without establishing probable cause for an arrest.
Anyone with information on any of the cases is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above: The body of Anna Louise Brown was found here on Gibson Road in Molino on April 30, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Wrestler Lahela Turnquest Places At State For The Second Year
March 13, 2023
Tate High School sophomore Lahela Turnquest placed seventh in the 120 division of the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships.
Turnquest is a two-time district champion and two-time regional runner up. Last year, she placed seventh in the 115 division at state.
Turnquest was the only Tate High wrestler to qualify for state this year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: How To Sweep A Bridge? And Why.
March 13, 2023
So how to you sweep a bridge? And why?
Our cameras recently caught a contractor cleaning the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay.
The bridge has small holes along the retaining wall for drainage. Cleaning away the debris keeps those holes from becoming clogged so water does not accumulate when there is heavy rain.
The crew was using a large “jet” blower pulled by a truck, backpack blowers and shovels.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Allegedly Stole Pickup From Her Ex In Florida Before Running Out of Gas In Alabama
March 13, 2023
An Atmore woman allegedly stole her ex-husband’s truck near Walnut Hill and ran out of gas on an Alabama interstate before stealing a good Samaritan’s vehicle, according to authorities.
Toni Marie Gibson, 27, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle for a 2017 Ford F250 reported stolen on March 4 from the 6000 block of West Highway 4 near Walnut Hill.
The following day, she returned to the residence in a Kia Soul and said the truck ran out of gas somewhere along I-65, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Another individual reported he was traveling southbound on I–65 in his Kia Soul when he noticed the truck sitting in the middle of the interstate. He stopped to assist Gibson and called the Alabama State Troopers. When the trooper arrived, Gibson jumped into the Kia Soul and fled, according to the report. The Kia Soul was then reported stolen.
The stolen truck was towed to Atmore and later recovered by the owner.
Gibson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $7,500. She was also charged with battery by a person detained in a jail for an unspecified incident after she was booked.
To date, she has not been charged with the alleged vehicle theft in Alabama.
PTA Provides Bratt Elementary Students With A Free Book For Spring Break
March 13, 2023
Each Bratt Elementary School student has a new book to enjoy over spring break this week.
The Bratt Elementary PTA gave students a chance to pick out a free book from the school’s book fair.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Rise Slightly Over Last Week
March 13, 2023
Florida gas prices were up nine cents over the last week, according to AAA.
The average statewide price per gallon Sunday was $3.31. In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was lower at $3.24.
In North Escambia, the low price Sunday night was $3.18 at stations on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, the warehouse clubs were at $3.01.
“Despite last week’s jump at the pump, Florida gas prices are still 27 cents per gallon less than this year’s high, which was recorded at the end of January,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Price hikes like these are common this time of year as spring vacations drive-up gasoline demand, while refineries conduct seasonal maintenance due and switch to Summer gasoline.”
Hazmat Team Responds To Reported Rail Car Leak In Molino; Incident Determined To Be ‘Normal Operations’
March 12, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue and their Hazmat team responded to a reported train incident in Molino Sunday afternoon.
According to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, it was determined that two rail tanker cars were venting as part of “normal operations” due to atmospheric pressure.
Two CSX tank cars containing liquid carbon dioxide had an obvious vapor venting from the top. According to online government databases, it is non-flammable, non-poisonous gas that is not dangerous outside of immediate physical contact that can cause severe frostbite.
The cars were located on a side track south of the Fairground Road crossing, adjacent to River Bend Road. Multiple railroad crossings in the area were closed due to the stopped train.
There were no evacuations, and no injuries were reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Distribution Benefits Hundreds Of Families (With Photo Gallery)
March 12, 2023
Hundreds of people received a helping hand Saturday during a food distribution in Gonzalez.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Farm Share, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens with ECUA District 5, International Paper, the Marine Corps League, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aaron Erskine, Thompson Trucking, and other community partners made the event possible.
The food distributions are held in North Escambia on a quarterly basis.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and being able to help our friends in District 1 get what they need”, said Rep. Michelle Salzman. “Along with Farm Share and the Gonzalez United Methodist Church, these events have become an amazing asset to help us provide food once every quarter to this part of the county that needs it so much. Especially with prices rising as they have been, it’s comforting to know that we’ve helped ensure some food on their tables every few months.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
‘“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.’,” said Gonzalez United Methodist Church Pastor Andy Perry, quoting Matthew 25:40. “As a Church, we cannot live isolated from our community. Rather, what Jesus and even the season of Lent reminds us of is that we are to be truly engaged in caring for those who do not have the means that many others have. Being involved in this food distribution allows us to engage and connect with the people in North Escambia county in a very real and tangible way, as the hands and feet of Jesus to help our neighbor. This is truly an opportunity to fulfill the commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Wins 2023 State 4-H Insectathon State Championship
March 12, 2023
Several Escambia County 4-H teams placed in the Florida 4-H State Insectathon Contest at the University of Florida, including a state championship team.
The contest at the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology consisted of insect identification, insect damage identification, a special topic quiz about the Asian citrus psyllid, and insect collection judging.
Escambia County 4-H teams that placed were as follows:
Junior Team 1 – second place
Junior Team 2 – third place
Intermediate Team 1; first place, state champions
Intermediate Team 2 – second place
Senior Team 1 – second place
Senior Team 2 – third place
During the project, Escambia County 4-H members developed life skills through activities related to insects and entomology. 4-H members in the project learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
