Multiple Wrecks Across North Escambia Early Sunday Evening
December 9, 2019
There multiple wrecks in North Escambia over the span of a few minutes early Sunday evening.
On Highway 29 near 95A, a vehicle overturned into the woodline, but the driver was not seriously injured (pictured above and below).
A short distance away, the driver of a pickup truck lost control with truck coming to rest on its side in front of Jim Allen Elementary school on Highway 95A (pictured bottom). The driver was not injured.
In Century, a driver crashed into a pole on State Line Road west of Shady Lane.
And in Cantonment, a driver crashed into a park fence at Perdido Road and East Plaza Drive before the driver fled (read more…).
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Driver Reportedly Flees After Cantonment Crash
December 9, 2019
A driver reportedly fled on foot following a traffic crash in Cantonment Sunday night.
Complete details were not available from the Florida Highway Patrol, but a sedan and SUV reportedly collided. The sedan reportedly drove away, with the SUV driver following. The seden then crashed into a fence at Perdido Road and East Plaza Drive before the driver fled.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Edge Lower After 11 Cent Hike Last Week
December 9, 2019
Florida gas prices are drifting lower after unexpectedly jumping last week. The state average increased 11 cents per gallon on Wednesday, before declining two pennies over the weekend.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.52 per gallon for regular gasoline. The state average is 9 cents more than a week ago, and 24 cents per gallon more than last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday was $2.36, with two Cantonment stations at $2.28.
“Florida gas prices increased along-side crude oil and gasoline futures prices last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Fuel prices rose after weekly supply data showed a dip in crude supplies that was bigger than industry insiders expected. Upward pressure also remained amid renewed optimism over the US-China trade deal and news that OPEC and its allies agreed to cut production at a higher rate than experts expected. Pump prices appear to be trending lower to start the week. The latest wholesale prices suggest a gradual return to the mid-$2.40s for the state average, but volatility remains.”
Scott, Rubio, DeSantis Visit Pensacola; Call For Tougher Vetting Of International Trainees
December 9, 2019
Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott visited Pensacola NAS over the weekend following Friday’s deadly shooting, and Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Pensacola again on Sunday.
Three sailors died at the hands of a Saudi national in what the FBI is now investigating as an act of terrorism.
Rubio, Scott and DeSantis are calling for tougher vetting of foreign nationals training on American military bases.
“I’m extremely concerned by the reports that this shooter was a foreign national training on a U.S. military base in Florida,” Scott said. “Whether this individual was motivated by radical Islam or was simply mentally unstable, this was an act of terrorism. It’s clear that we need to take steps to ensure that any and all foreign nationals are scrutinized and vetted extensively before being embedded with our American men and women in uniform.”
“It’s important we learn how and why this attack happened so we can fix any shortcomings in our vetting of foreign military trainees,” Rubio said.
“When tragedy strikes, Floridians stand together. As Governor I will do all that I can to assist law enforcement in bringing these criminals to justice,” the governor said.
DeSantis said he wants answers as to what vetting was done, including “what type of vetting is done by the Saudi military and the Saudi government to try to ferret out people who may end up having that type of world view. I know (Secretary of Defense Mark) Esper is doing stuff with, and I think they need to do that very quickly
Pictured above: Gov. Ron DeSantis meets with officials in Pensacola Sunday. Pictured below: Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio visited NAS Pensacola and were briefed on the investigation by Commanding Officer Tim Kinsella. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Earn First Place In Red Nosed Reindeer Cheer Competition
December 9, 2019
The Tate Highs School varsity and junior varsity competition teams both earned first place in the 2019 Red Nosed Raider Reindeer Cheerleading Competition this past weekend. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FBI Working NAS Pensacola Shooting As Terrorism; Gun Was Purchased Legally
December 8, 2019
The FBI is working under the presumption that mass shooting at NAS Pensacola was an act of terrorism that involved a single gunman acting alone.
The shooter was 21-year old Mohammed Alshamrani, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force who was a student naval flight officer at the Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola.
During a press conference Sunday morning in Pensacola, FBI Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas said most the answers the public wants will not come quickly as the investigation continues, but they will strive to provide the most accurate and timely information available.
Rojas said Alshamrani used a Glock Model 45 9mm that was purchased legally. The FBI won’t say yet where the gun was purchased in Florida, but national media has reported it was bought locally under a law that allows for a non-citizen with a hunting license to buy a weapon.
She said the shooter was close with several other Saudi students at NAS pensacola, and they are cooperating with the investigation. So far, the FBI has not determined if Alshamrani acted alone or if others were involved.
Rojas said the Saudi government has pledged full cooperation with the FBI investigation, which would help identify and eliminate any threats to the Pensacola area. But she said that at the current time, there is no credible threat to the community.
Lawrence Keefe, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, said that he would be comfortable for any member of his family to be out in public.
“Our investigation has not led us to any information to indicate that there is any credible threat to our community, however, as always, we urge you to keep an eye out for each other especially for a tragedy like this one,” Rojas said. “If you see something, please say something. If you saw something, anything, please provide that information about the shooter that you think that might be relevant in this case. There is absolutely nothing too small.”
All international students at NAS Pensacola have been accounted for by the FBI and Navy. There have been no additional arrests.
Rojas would not comment on reports that other Saudi students videoed the shootings. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said during an interview on Fox News Sunday that it was unclear if they were filming before it began or if they picked up their phones after they saw it start.
“You know, today, people pull out their phones and film everything and anything that happens,” Esper told Fox News’ Chris Wallace.
“Investigators have recovered digital evidence as part of this investigation,” the FBI said in a statement Sunday afternoon. “This includes multiple videos from base security surveillance, as well as cell phone videos that were taken by a bystander from outside the building after the attack had started and after first responders had arrived. We have interviewed that person, and are analyzing the videos to determine if any details can further this investigation.”
The investigation is continuing; the FBI said all interviews have not yet been completed.
Alshamrani was shot dead by deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in a classroom building on the base. Three sailors died, and eight others were wounded.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Navy Identifies Three Sailors Killed In NAS Pensacola Shooting
December 8, 2019
The Navy has identified the three sailors that died during the shooting Friday at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
They are:
-Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 23, from Coffee, Alabama
-Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida
-Airmen Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, Student, Naval Aviation Schools Command, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia
“The sorrow from the tragic event on NAS Pensacola will have a lasting impact on our installation and community,” said Capt. Tim Kinsella, commanding officer, NAS Pensacola. “We feel the loss profoundly and grieve with the family and friends of the deceased. The Sailors that lost their lives in the line of duty and showed exceptional heroism and bravery in the face of evil. When confronted, they didn’t run from danger; they ran towards it and saved lives. If not for their actions, and the actions of the Naval Security Force that were the first responders on the scene, this incident could have been far worse.”
The installation is now open to mission essential personnel only through the weekend. Families who live on base will have access to the base and their residences. The National Naval Aviation Museum is closed until further notice. The Barrancas National Cemetery is closed to visitors until further notice.
Pictured above: Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson. Pictured below: Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham.
Photo Gallery: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 8, 2019
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour., click to enlarge.
Century Man Reported Missing, Endangered
December 8, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing endangered adult from Century.
James Rayford Calhoun, 72, was last seen in Century on December 2, the ECSO said Saturday night. He may be driving a dark blue 2009 four-door Kia sedan with Florida tag 352NER. He may be in need of medical attention. He was described only as a black male.
The ECSO did not provide any additional description and said a photo of Calhoun was not available.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of James Rayford Calhoun is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
FBI Officially Identifies NAS Pensacola Shooter
December 8, 2019
The FBI has officially identified the NAS Pensacola shooter who shot and killed three people on Friday.
The shooter was Mohammed Alshamrani, a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force who was a student naval flight officer at the Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola. The FBI has not determined a motive for Alshamrani’s rampage.
The FBI, which did not hold a news conference on Saturday to provide an update on the investigation, posted a statement on Twitter as they released Alshamrani’s identity.
“FBI Jacksonville is not aware of any credible threat toward the Pensacola community at this time,” the FBI posted.
The victims were also students at the flight school. They have been identified as Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, from Coffee, Alabama; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida; and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia.
“The sorrow from the tragic event on NAS Pensacola will have a lasting impact on our installation and community,” Captain Tim Kinsella, the commanding officer of the naval base said in a statement.
Anyone with information regarding his activites is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.