Latest news with #ChipSimmons
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Escambia County, Fla., Sheriff discusses E-Commerce Exchange Zones following violent Facebook Marketplace transaction
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — A Facebook Marketplace exchange turned violent earlier this week, prompting the Escambia County, Fla., Sheriff to issue some safety tips. UPDATE: No foul play suspected in death of woman at Pensacola Publix According to the Escambia County Sheriff's deputies, a man is claiming he was beaten and robbed of his wallet, phone, and cash by four men, while attempting to buy a cell phone from Facebook Marketplace. Investigators say it happened Tuesday afternoon at Bristol Park. 'We ended up arresting three people for the robbery and a couple more people, one it was a felon in possession of a firearm and then one we're going to have a warrant on,' Sheriff Chip Simmons said. Now, the sheriff is offering advice to people when making these types of transactions. Simmons recommends using the designated parking spaces provided for buyers and sellers at the sheriff's office and two of their precincts, all of which are under 24-hour video surveillance. 'If you're a little leery about meeting someone I would certainly recommend that you make that exchange here or in some other very public place,' Simmons said. Woman fights for answers after ancestry test shows local businessman could be her father The sheriff's office says if someone doesn't want to meet you at a law enforcement agency, that could be a red flag. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
ECSO hosts Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at new Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — The Escambia County Sheriff's Office held its annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony Thursday to honor fallen heroes. Driver recounts deadly Thomasville truck crash — investigation continues 'It's very meaningful for us. We get to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,' Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. Law enforcement, community members and the families of fallen deputies gathered as flowers were laid to recognize those killed in the line of duty. 'It's very important to us,' Simmons said. 'I can only imagine how important it is to the family who has missed their loved one for many, many years. A lot of us will sacrifice our time, but these families have sacrificed much more than that.' It was a heartwarming but emotional time for the granddaughters of Constable Mallory Williams. 'I find it touching that our current officers still want to honor the ones they have lost, and I am grateful for the opportunity to honor my grandfather in the only way we can since we never got to meet him,' Margaret Davis said. But this year's ceremony was extra special. It was held at the Escambia County Sheriff's Office's new Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza. After breaking ground in January, the new plaza has become the focal point of the sheriff's office with a new monument proudly displaying the names of the fallen. 'This is the very first time we've been able to make use of this beautiful facility to pay that honor to those who have paid that ultimate sacrifice,' Simmons said. Bear to be 'humanely killed, if captured' after biting man in Gulf Breeze: FWC The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation funded the new plaza. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Escambia County Sheriff's Office urges spring breakers to keep Pensacola Beach safe
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons hopes vacationers find the balance between having fun and respecting the county as Spring Break arrives for more and more students across the country. Former Santa Rosa County school administrator arrested on grand theft: FDLE Florida remains a top destination, including the northwest stretch of the Gulf Coast. 'We're going to have our bicycle units out there,' said Sheriff Simmons. 'We're going to work with the Santa Rosa Island Authority to get more deputies out there.' 'Be courteous to other people that are vacationing here, but also understand, again, that this is our home, and we're not going to let you tear it up,' he added. Pensacola Beach doesn't allow glass on beaches, but alcohol is permitted. 'Certainly no DUI underage drinking,' Sheriff Simmons said. 'We will take enforcement action on people that are violating these laws.' Santa Rosa County District Schools launches virtual courses for some students Those who plan to travel to Northwest Florida should expect larger crowds throughout the month of March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- The Independent
Officials: No signs of shooter or victims after reports of gunshots at naval base in Florida
A Florida sheriff said there were 'no signs of an active shooter' and no injuries after police responded to a report of gunshots at the Corry Station, a Navy installation in Pensacola. Law enforcement authorities and military personnel said they had cleared the facility to reopen after conducting a thorough sweep of the facility, according to a post on the Naval Air Station Pensacola's social media accounts at about 1:15 p.m. Thursday. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said someone reported hearing multiple gunshots about 10:15 a.m., but deputies conducted a search and found no evidence of a shooting and no victims. All available deputies responded to Corry Station sub-installation in response and worked with military personnel to search the station, authorities said. The base and Naval Air Station Pensacola had closed entrances as police investigated. Officers continued to conduct a comprehensive sweep of the base for almost two hours before clearing the threat. Corry Station is a sub-installation of the larger Naval Air Station Pensacola command. The station houses several units including the Navy's Center for Information Warfare Training as well as civilian and Marine operations. The Navy's website for the installation notes the gates are open 24 hours a day, but require credentials or accompaniment of credentialed individuals to enter. Naval Air Station information specialists posted on the station's X and Facebook accounts that the gates to Corry Station remained closed just before 12:30 p.m., but other entrances to the larger station had begun reopening. NAS Pensacola had a previous shooting incident in December 2019 in which a Saudi student at the air station opened fire in a classroom, killing three sailors and wounding eight other people including two sheriff's deputies. One of the deputies killed the shooter, Mohammed Alshamrani, in that incident. After the shooting the first Trump administration sent 21 Saudi military students home, noting they had jihadist or anti-American sentiments on social media pages or had contact with child sexual abuse materials, including in internet chat rooms, officials said in early 2020. None of those trainees was accused of having had advance knowledge of the shooting or helped the 21-year-old gunman carry it out.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Escambia County sheriff says no injuries found at Corry Station
UPDATE (11:20 a.m.): NAS Pensacola officials said the Navy Security Forces and local law enforcement entities responded to an 'active shooter situation' on Corry Station. Officials said the call came in as three shots were fired. 'Our Security team is responding swiftly and expertly with our local law enforcement partners,' said Capt. Chandra Newman. 'Our concern is always the safety and welfare of our service members and their families. Our security forces will continue to work with responding law enforcement to process the crime scene.' Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said they had swept the building and found no sign of an active shooter. Simmons said they had not found anyone injured. PREVIOUS REPORTING ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Naval Air Station Pensacola officials have closed the gates at Corry Station, along with the main gate and west gate, after a report of an armed disturbance. According to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, all their units are on the scene. Mobile police sergeant expresses concern over 'suggestive' Mardi Gras dances LOCATION News 5 has a crew headed to the scene. This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
