Sheriff: Triple Murder Was A ‘Targeted Ambush’; Victims Identified
April 29, 2024
As the investigation continues, the sheriff is calling Saturday morning’s triple murder early Sunday morning in Escambia County a “targeted ambush”.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Saturday morning that it appears there two shooters who fired at close range into a parted convertible Mustang at an “adult birthday party” near West Jackson Square at 65th Avenue and Jackson Street about 1:15 a.m. Sunday.
Simons identified the victims as:
- Markeese Turner, 26
- Michael Carstarphen, 28
- Trashawn Powers, 23
Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third was pronounced deceased a short time later.
“This is a terrible tragedy that we are investigating as a targeted ambush,” Simmons said.
The sheriff said the shooters parked nearby, walking through a yard, approached the Mustang, and fired multiple rounds.
“This was not random, this was not a drive by,” Simmons said. “This was a shooting that took place at close range and it was clearly was targeted.”
He said the shooting may have been retaliation for a previous incident.
As of Monday, no suspects had been developed.
All available ECSO investigators have been called in and the real-time crime center has been activated. Investigators are also asking anyone who attended the party to review any videos or photos and provide any useful information to ECSO investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Photos WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect’s Name, Charges Released In Monday Century Manhunt
April 29, 2024
Dozens of law enforcement officers were involved in a manhunt Monday in Century for a wanted suspect.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 41-year old Christopher George Pace has an outstanding felony warrants for arson, trespassing with property damage and resisting arrest without violence.. Deputies said he is considered armed and dangerous.
At last 4 p.m. Monday, Pace had not been captured, and deputies believed he remained in a heavily wooded area.
The search perimeter was mostly along and an centered on West Highway 4 in the area of Pleasant Hill Road. Law enforcement officers were seen maintaining the perimeter for hours between Lake Stone to the west and Industrial Boulevard to the north and west (map below, click to enlarge).
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by agencies including the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, Florida Fish, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and K-9 units from the Century Correctional Institution. ECSO also had K-9 units and a drone involved in the search.
Anyone with information on Pace’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Suspect Christopher George Pace is pictured in a 2021 mugshot from a previous arrest.
Two Seriously Injured In Highway 97 Crash Involving Motorcycle
April 29, 2024
Two people were seriously injured when their bike and a passenger car collided Sunday evening in Walnut Hill.
A 2013 Honda Civic driven by a female in her 80s and the motorcycle collided about 7 p.m. on Highway 97 approximately 770 feet north of North Highway 99, near the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church. The southbound Civic came to a stop in the northbound lane of Highway 97, while the motorcycle came to rest on its side in the ditch.
A male and female on the motorcycle were transported to the hospital as trauma alerts by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Additional details were not released.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen’s Jacey Taylor In The Running For Reader’s Digest ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’
April 29, 2024
A Jim Allen Elementary School third grade teacher is just steps away from being named “America’s Favorite Teacher” by the magazine Reader’s Digest.
Jacey Taylor is in fifth place in the group for the Reader’s Digest contest that will award the winner $25,000 and a trip to Hawaii.
“I show up every day, and do my best, but falter often. I put my kids first and do all I can to support them and show them they’re loved,” she said.
If she wins the contest, she plans to use the $25,000 to pay down student loan debt and invest her in classroom.
To vote for Taylor, click or tap here. Individuals can vote once per 24 hours for free. Additional votes are available with a donation to DTCare, a 501(c)(3) charity that supports the group Teach for America.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Of Elementary Students Participate In Sunshine Math Competition (With Gallery)
April 29, 2024
Twenty schools took part in the recent 2024 Annual Sunshine Math Competition cosponsored by the Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Almost 400 students in grades 3-5 competed in both individual and team round math competitions. The top 10 individual scores for students were honored, as well as the top five teams each grade.
The top ten individual scores for third grade are 10th place: Max Stephani from Molino Park Elementary, 9th place: Geovanny Sanchez from Scenic Heights Elementary, 8th place: Bryson Windham from Beulah Elementary, 7th place: William Montgomery from Lipscomb Elementary, 6th place: Jace Johnson from Kingsfield Elementary, 5th place: Salvatore Garguilo from Blue Angels Elementary, 4th place: John O’Connor from AK Suter Elementary, 3rd place: Easton Bellinger from Kingsfield Elementary, 2nd place: Daniel Ryan from Pine Meadow Elementary and 1st place: Dowling Butler from Pine Meadow Elementary.
For more photos, including Molino Park, Bratt, Lipscomb, McArthur and Byrneville, click here.
The top five team winners for third grade are 5th place: Kingsfield Team 2: Easton Bellinger, Ariel Calloway, Zac Gardner, Asher Winn 4th place: Jim Allen Team 2: Sophia Yang, Jace Bonner, Lyric McHenry, Lydia Cowart 3rd place: Pine Meadow Team 1: Dowling Butler, Jackson Rodriguez, Jonah Vann, Carolena Barragan 2nd place: Blue Angels Team 2: Salvatore Gargiulo, Griffin Solis, Aarya Patel, Jairus Buensuceso 1st place: Jim Allen Team 1: Thea Helms, Easton Cobb, Breanne Browning, Autumn Mack
The top ten individual scores for fourth grade are 10th place: Landyn Toop from Jim Allen Elementary, 9th place: Nathalia Ramos from A.K. Suter Elementary, 8th place: Skylar Dupree from Molino Park Elementary, 7th place: Micah Nester from McArthur Elementary, 6th place: Liam Mason from Pine Meadow Elementary, 5th place: Skylar Gibbons from Pine Meadow Elementary, 4th place: Grayson Pettit from Scenic Heights Elementary, 3rd place: Travis Eggleston from Pine Meadow Elementary, 2nd place: Reagan Hillis from McArthur Elementary and 1st place: Jaxon Abano from Pine Meadow Elementary.
The top five team winners for fourth grade are 5th place: McArthur Team 1: Ruby MacWhinnie, Reagan Hillis, Trent Fowler, Buddy Busbee 4th place: Pine Meadow Team 1: Skylar Gibbons, Liam Olson, Deleia Marshall, Alex Harr 3rd place: Ferry Pass Team 2: Isaiah Ray, Lochlan Orand, Loi Phung, Avery Andrews 2nd place: Jim Allen Team 1: Landon Toop, Drew Haney, Micahel Stafanko, Jansen Rocafort 1st place: Pine Meadow Team 2: Jaxon Albano, Pax Fisher, Connor Stewart, Travis Eggleston
The top ten individual scores for fifth grade are 10th place: Carter Jarman from Pine Meadow Elementary, 9th place: Luke Wiggins from Beulah Elementary, 8th place: Malcolm Thorson from Hellen Caro Elementary, 7th place: William Doyle III from Molino Park Elementary, 6th place: Aaliyah Keeney from AK Suter Elementary, 5th place: Sawyer Jernigan from Scenic Heights Elementary, 4th place: Derek Zheng from Pine Meadow Elementary, 3rd place: Leonardo Barbosa from Blue Angels Elementary, 2nd place: Quinn Taylor from Pine Meadow Elementary and 1st place: Cutter Rhodes from AK Suter Elementary.
The top five team winners for fifth grade are 5th place: Beulah Team 2: Duncan Woelke, Olivia Nunn, London Farrier, Emma Nguyen 4th place: Blue Angels Team 1: Leo Barbosa, Ki’Mya Jordan, Olivia Flynn, Ivan Swarek 3rd place: Pine Meadow Team 1: Derek Zheng, Quinn Taylor, Patrick Givens, Mabel Kauzlarich 2nd place: AK Suter Team 1: Cutter Rhodes, Emma Mosbat, Khali Liddell, Aaliyah Keeney 1st place: Scenic Heights Team 1: Eli Dalbom, Adam El Shaltony, Sawyer Jernigan, Dan Pham.
For more photos, including Molino Park, Bratt, Lipscomb, McArthur and Byrneville, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Volunteer Firefighters Attend LifeFlight Landing Zone Class
April 29, 2024
Volunteers from several North Escambia fire stations attended a recent landing zone class to learn more about how to safely assist with landing the medical helicopter.
Firefighters from the Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid station of Escambia County Fire Rescue attended the class held behind the Molino Fire Station.
When LifeFlight responds to calls, the volunteer firefighters locate a suitable landing zone and standby for safety during the landing.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Senior Jackson Leonard Wins Weightlifting State Title, Sets State Records
April 29, 2024
Tate High School senior Jackson Leonard won a State Championship at the FHSAA Boys Weightlifting meet recently in Lakeland.
Leonard competed in the 219 pound weight class as he won the Olympic style competition with a new state record of 605 total pounds. Included in his record-breaking performance was another new state record of 270 pounds in the match.
He also placed fourth in the traditional competition.
Tate junior Owen Davis competed for in the 238 pound weight class where he finished 12th in the traditional competition.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
April 29, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on southbound U.S. 29 near the Interstate 10 (I-10) interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 29 through Tuesday, April 30 as crews place temporary barrier wall.
- I-10 at the Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform construction activities:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Tuesday, April 30 through Thursday, May 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Traffic on I-10 is shifted to the outside and will be in place until spring 2025.
- Traffic on Nine Mile Road has shifted to the inside and will be in place until summer 2024.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Outside lane closures on North Palafox Street Sunday, April 28 through Friday, May 3 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) from north of I-10 to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, April 28 through Thursday, May 2 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving and striping operations. Flaggers will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 1 as crews perform earthwork, signalization, signing and striping work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the construction work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 westbound over Blackwater River Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter intermittent I-10 westbound lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (Exit 28) to the east end of the Blackwater River Bridge, Sunday, April 28 to Thursday, May 2, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities and paving operations. A traffic shift is in place for the I-10 westbound travel lanes. The shift is expected to remain in place through early May.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers will experience intermittent single-lane closures on S.R. 87, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, April 29 through Thursday, May 2, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for construction activities.
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, April 29 through Friday, May 3 as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, April 28 through Thursday, May 2 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform roadway widening and sidewalk reconstruction work.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, April 28, through Friday, May 3, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices are Slightly Lower Than A Week Ago
April 29, 2024
Florida gas prices increased the past three days, erasing eight consecutive days of losses. The state average dropped from $3.64 per gallon to $3.48 last week before rebounding nine cents Friday to Saturday.
Sunday’s state average was $3.57 per gallon. That is slightly less than a week ago, three cents less than last month, and 10 cents less than this time last year.
In the Pensacola area, the average was lower $3.28, the cheapest metro in the state. In North Escambia, $3.17 was available at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. The lowest price in Pensacola Sunday night was $3.05 on East Nine Mile Road.
The price of U.S. crude oil also finished the week flat. Gasoline futures are five cents higher than a week ago.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scattered Showers And Storms Monday Night
April 29, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.