Police ask for public's help in downtown Pensacola shooting in Florida

Pensacola Police Department is asking for the help of anyone who was present in the crowded downtown area between 1 and 2 a.m. July 5, as the investigation into the mass shooting in the 200 block of South Palafox Street continues.

Six victims between the ages 16-26 were injured by gunfire, and 19-year-old Phillip Sheppard Jr. was fatally shot in downtown Pensacola early Sunday morning following Fourth of July celebrations.

Of the hundreds of people in the area, many could have been recording on their cellphones, Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said in a July 6 press conference. Winstrom also thanked the businesses and community members who have been helpful to the investigation, providing video surveillance, etc.

He also discussed a video that has been circulating on social media, purporting to be of the incident. However, Winstrom quickly debunked the claim.

Here's how you can help.

Pensacola police asks for help of public in July 5 shooting investigation

"If you were in the downtown area between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on July 5, we encourage you to contact us," the Pensacola Police Department wrote in a social media post.

"Even if you did not witness the shooting, any photos or videos you took during that time may have unintentionally captured information that could be critical to this investigation."

"If you have any information, photos, or video footage, please contact Detective Amanda Robinson at 850-436-5406 or email Sgt. Jeff Brown at jcbrown@cityofpensacola.com."

Video showing an armed altercation circulating on social media is not from Pensacola shooting, police debunk

A video showing an armed altercation between multiple men, ending in shots fired, has been circulating online with some posters claiming it depicts the July 5 shooting in downtown Pensacola.

However, Winstrom took a moment during the July 6 press conference to debunk that claim.

"There is a video that's been circulating for the past 14 hours or so on social media purporting to show an altercation in downtown Pensacola with an individual firing shots," Winstrom said. "We looked into that, of course, it is not in the city of Pensacola, but it has gotten so much traction on social media I thought it was worth a mention."

Pensacola police name 19-year-old downtown shooting victim

Winstrom identified 19-year-old Phillip Sheppard Jr., known as "PJ" to family and friends, as the victim fatally shot and killed in downtown Pensacola overnight at Monday's press conference.

CPR was administered to the young man, but failed. Sheppard was pronounced dead on scene.

5 shooting victims released from hospital, 1 still receiving care

Five of the six living victims, ages 16-26, have been released from area hospitals, while the sixth continues to receive medical care and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Winstrom.

Six of the seven victims, including the deceased, "had social connections with each other," says police. PPD determined that there was an "ongoing feud between the individuals" that is actively playing a role in the investigation.

"We know that multiple of these individuals have gang connections, (but we're) not prepared to say these are gang members," Winstrom said. "We know there are feuds going back years, gang-related feuds, that six of these individuals were known to each other."

Winstrom also said one of the gunshot victims was "not known" to any of the other individuals and was likely hit by a stray bullet.

Hundreds of young adults, kids as young as middle school gathered in downtown Pensacola July 5

The shooting occurred downtown where "hundreds of unaccompanied young people" were gathered that night, "starting to small fights, throwing mortar fireworks," according to police.

There were about 50 extra police officers present in the area.

Nine arrests were made, unconnected to the shooting related to disruptive behavior, Winstrom said. Police also responded to over 20 fights.

The arrestees, including a youth who was shooting fireworks at people in the crowd, were between the ages 14-22.

Winstrom said he witnessed kids as young as middle school at the gathering without any adult supervision.

Contributing: Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Police ask for public's help in downtown Pensacola shooting in Florida

Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida / Pensacola News Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM.