Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison Time On Weapons Charges Following Shootout
September 18, 2022
An Escambia County man was sentenced Friday to over 17 years in federal prison for multiple firearms offenses.
Mario Antwan Brewer, Jr., 29, was sentenced to 17.5 years after pleading guilty. The sentence was based upon two federal indictments stemming from violations of federal firearms laws in 2020 and 2021.
Court documents reflect that on December 28, 2020, a shootout took place between two vehicles at a gas station on the corner of Fairfield Drive and North Davis Highway. Multiple discharged shell casings of 9-millimeter ammunition were left behind at the crime scene which were collected as evidence by the Pensacola Police Department. One of the involved vehicles was located in Alabama and linked to Brewer. On January 28, 2021, Brewer was located at an apartment in Pensacola along with multiple firearms. One of those firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9-millimeter pistol, ballistically matched the firearm that left behind the spent shell casings during the December 2020 shooting. That same firearm had Brewer’s DNA on it when seized.
Brewer was again caught with a loaded firearm on August 27, 2021. This time, he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Pensacola Police Department. Brewer was taken into federal custody at that time.
“Our law enforcement partnerships play a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody. “This sentencing is another example that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”
“Today’s sentencing reflects the collaboration and partnerships required to combat violent crimes in our communities today,” said ATF Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier. “This case also demonstrates how ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network — or NIBIN — can help investigators link shootings and take violent offenders off of our streets.”
“Violent crime is impacting too many lives,” said Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall. “Today’s announcement of this sentencing is another example of our commitment to hold accountable those who commit violent acts in our community.”
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Ribbon Is Cut Opening The New Bellview Library (With Gallery)
September 17, 2022
The ribbon was cut Friday to officially open the new Bellview Library on Mobile Highway.
The 12,500 square foot facility features a unique origami-inspired design with a capacity to hold 480 people.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Inside, the library consists of a large open space divided into areas for a lobby, story time events, library service programs, leisure reading and more. The open floor plan provides entrances to other support spaces including multiple study rooms, a computer room and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The library plans to hold skill-building classes, daily hands-on activities and more.
The library was funded by Local Open Sales Tax and library MSTU funds. It will be open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It is located at 6425 Mobile Highway, at the corner of Mobile Highway and Belleview Avenue (across from The Farm produce market).
NorthEscambia.com photos, and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Caitlyn Gibson Named Northview High Homecoming Queen (With Photo Gallery)
September 17, 2022
Caitlyn Gibson was named Northview High School’s 2022 homecoming queen Friday night.
First runner-up was McKenna Simmons, and Emma Gilmore was named second runner-up. Saniyah Hixon was named junior maid, Payton Daw was named sophomore maid, and Kathryn Beasley was named freshman maid.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets 49-24 Homecoming Win Over Elberta
September 17, 2022
The Northview Chiefs earned the crown on homecoming night Friday in Bratt with a 49-24 win over the Warriors of Elberta, Alabama.
Northview head coach Wes Summerford said it was not a pretty win.
“Over the course of a season you are going to have some wins like that,” he said. “It wasn’t pretty, but y end of the night we got the win.”
For an action photo gallery, click here.
He said several big defensive stops were the turning point for the Chiefs.
“The defense was just able to stop in the second half,” Summerford said.
Northview quarterback Kaden Odom had touchdown runs of 3-yards and 10-yards. Odom also hit Wyatt Scruggs from 17-yards out for a touchdown, and Odom found Aiden Broadhead from 11-yards out for another TD for the Chiefs.
Jamarkus Jefferson had touchdown runs of 19-yards, 42-yards, and 22-yards. Luke Bridges and Scruggs each had good 2-point conversion runs. And Chiefs kicker Brandon Ferguson had three good point afters through the uprights.
Next week, the Chiefs (4-0) will host the Baker Gators (3-1).
Summerford knows that Baker Gators are headed to Bratt looking for a win.
“We’ve got to stop the run; that’s for sure. They are going to do a little bit of our own game at us,” he said. “They are going to run the football on us, and we’ll see how tough we’ve gotten these last four weeks.
- For an action photo gallery, click here.
- For a bonus gallery with the band, cheerleaders, ROTC and more, click here.
- For the homecoming court and photos, click here.
- For the homecoming parade, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Fall To The Navarre Raiders 38-20 (With Gallery)
September 17, 2022
The Navarre Raiders defeated the Tate Aggies 38-20 Friday night at Tate’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
The Raiders took an early 7-0 lead with 3:25 to go in the second quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run.
A pass from Tate’s Taite Davis was picked off in the endzone by Navarre, setting up Navarre’s offense on the 1-yard line. On a big tackle, Tate’s Conner Mason downed Navarre back in the endzone for a safety, making it 7-2 with 2:35 on the clock before the half.
With no time on the clock in the half, Davis was in from 2-yards out, putting Tate on top 8-7 at halftime.
For more photos, click or tap here.
But Navarre was back on top 13-8 after returning the second half kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown.
Andre Colston added an Aggie touchdown with a 53-yard run, putting the Aggies back on top by one, 14-13 with just under 11 minutes in the third.
The Raiders improved to 3-1, while the Aggies are 1-3.
The Aggies will be off next Friday night before hitting the road September 30 to take on Milton.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 17, 2022
Here are the Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
- Northview 49, Elberta 24 [Click for photos, story.]
- Navarre 38, Tate 20 [Click for photos, story.]
- Pine Forest 28, Choctaw 7
- Escambia, 38, Fort Walton Beach 0
- Pensacola Catholic 46, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 0
- Gulf Breeze 35, Milton 14
- Crestview 29, Pace 21
- Baker 36, Jefferson County 12
- Bye: Jay, Washington, West Florida Pensacola.
ALABAMA
- Excel 31, Flomaton 24
- Jackson Academy 51, Escambia Academy 6
- Escambia County (Atmore) 34, Wilcox Central 0
- W.S. Neal 28, Hillcrest Evergreen 27
- T.R. Miller 38, Orange Beach 13
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs took down Elberta 49-24 Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Near Head-on Wreck In Bratt
September 17, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a near head-on wreck in Bratt late Friday night.
A Nissan Altima and Honda Accord collided on West Highway 4, just east of North Highway 99. The vehicles both traveled off the north shoulder of the highway following the crash.
Three juveniles refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash, which closed Highway 4 for just over an hour.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Biloxi Shuckers Defeat The Wahoos
September 17, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their fourth game in a row on Friday night, falling 2-1 to the Biloxi Shuckers despite a late ninth-inning rally.
In his first Double-A appearance since going on the injured list in early August, Eury Pérez worked 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out four despite walking four Shuckers batters. Pensacola pitching allowed only four hits and struck out 15 batters, but Dax Fulton (L, 1-1) surrendered a two-run double to Zavier Warren in the third that proved to be the difference in the game.
Pensacola couldn’t crack Biloxi starter Justin Jarvis (W, 2-1), as the righty worked around six walks to toss 5.0 scoreless innings. One night after being blanked in a 1-0 defeat, the Blue Wahoos didn’t get on the board until mounting one last threat in the ninth inning.
With Ryan Middendorf (S, 1) on the mound in search of his first Biloxi save, the Blue Wahoos got a one-out single from Marcus Chiu and double from Demetrius Sims to put the tying run in scoring position. Thomas Jones brought home Chiu with a sacrifice fly before Nasim Nuñez and J.D. Orr drew walks to load the bases. J.D. Osborne fouled off several pitches before striking out to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday evening
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Photo Gallery: Northview High School Homecoming Parade
September 16, 2022
The Northview High School Homecoming Parade rolled through Bratt as hundreds of people watched Friday afternoon.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Note: After the first few, the photos are in the order of the parade. Tag people that you know and share.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Student In Custody After Report Of A Gun At Escambia County High In Atmore
September 16, 2022
A student was taken into custody with what appeared to be a handgun Friday morning at Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said they determined the gun was a BB pistol that was an exact replica of an actual handgun.
The school was placed on an emergency lockdown after the report, and the student was located in his classroom. A search of his book bag revealed the realistic-looking BB gun, Jackson said.
“The BB pistol did not have the orange or any other indicator to show that it was not a real gun,” Jackson said. “It was an exact replica of a pistol.”
The teen was taken into custody and will be charged as a juvenile, and the lockdown was lifted.
Jackson called the law enforcement response to the report swift and “tremendous”, with the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Atmore Police Department and members of a state drug task force responding to the school.
NorthEscambia.com photo.