The 16-year-old accused of providing the firearm allegedly used by Nicholas Safford in the July 5 Downtown Pensacola mass shooting will be charged as an adult in circuit court.
Kanye Walker—who was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 18 and principal to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon—will soon have his case transferred from juvenile court to circuit court where he will be charged as an adult, the Office of the State Attorney confirmed to the News Journal July 14.
Safford, who allegedly obtained the firearm from Walker, is alleged to be the first shooter during the incident downtown that ended up killing 19-year-old Phillip Sheppard Jr. and injuring six others.
Investigators with the Pensacola Police Department say surveillance video obtained of the incident shows Walker hand Safford the gun after Safford and Sheppard began an argument. Safford would eventually point the gun at Sheppard, according to police, and fire multiple rounds.
Although no one has yet been charged with murder for Sheppard’s death, prosecutors charged Safford with attempted first-degree premeditated murder for allegedly shooting at Sheppard. He’s also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Office of the State Attorney told the News Journal that Walker’s case would be transferred to adult court at his juvenile arraignment.
Benjamin Johnson is the breaking news, crime and military reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He covers local law enforcement, courts, breaking news and military within Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 16-year-old arrested in Pensacola mass shooting to be charged as adult
Reporting by Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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By Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
