Crime
Charges Upgraded to Attempted Murder in Downtown Pensacola Mass Shooting
Charges have been officially upgraded to attempted first-degree premeditated murder against 26-year-old Nicholas Lilane Safford for his role in the July 5 mass shooting on Intendencia Street. Meanwhile, alleged accomplice Lillian Myllicen Meyers faces felony evidence tampering charges as Pensacola Police continue the hunt for at least two remaining shooters.
Pensacola, Fl. NewsWK — State prosecutors have significantly upgraded charges against the man accused of initiating a chaotic holiday mass shooting in downtown Pensacola, turning what began as assault and firearms charges into a targeted case of attempted premeditated murder.
Nicholas Lilane Safford, a 26-year-old convicted felon from Daphne, Alabama, now faces an upgraded charge of attempted first-degree premeditated murder for his role in the July 5 gunfire exchange on Intendencia Street. The shooting claimed the life of 19-year-old Phillip “PJ” Sheppard Jr. and left six others wounded.
A judge ordered Safford held at the Escambia County Jail without bond.
“Teen Takeover” Escalates to Violence
The shooting unfolded just after 1:20 a.m. along Intendencia Street, between Jefferson and Palafox streets. The area had become densely packed with hundreds of unaccompanied young people—some as young as middle school age—following the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display in what law enforcement described as a social media-driven “teen takeover.”
Anticipating large holiday crowds, the Pensacola Police Department had deployed roughly 50 additional officers downtown. Despite the heightened security, tensions erupted into a “volley of fire” that investigators describe as a targeted, rather than random, act of violence.
According to police arrest reports, surveillance video captured Safford aggressively arguing with Sheppard and running toward him multiple times immediately before the gunfire began. Safford was seen retrieving a handgun from another man nearby, which he then pointed directly at Sheppard and an accompanying woman, who threw herself to the ground to avoid being struck.
Investigators recovered 10 shell casings tied to Safford’s immediate location and identified him as the first individual to open fire. Safford’s hands subsequently tested positive for gunshot residue. Both Safford and the unidentified man who handed him the weapon were among those injured during the chaotic shooting sequence that followed.
Accomplice Arrested After Fleeing with Weapon
As Pensacola Police officers rushed into the crowd to administer CPR and deploy life-saving tourniquets, investigators say a close associate of Safford actively worked to hide the physical evidence.
Lillian Myllicen Meyers, 25, of Pensacola, was arrested alongside Safford. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Safford handing one of the firearms to Meyers immediately after the shooting took place. Meyers then fled the immediate crime scene with the weapon while Safford was being treated for his injuries by emergency medical personnel.
Meyers later surrendered a 9mm handgun to officers at her apartment. She faces charges of tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact. While initially held without bond, jail records indicate she has since bonded out of the Escambia County Jail ahead of subsequent court proceedings.
The Hunt for Remaining Shooters Continues
While Safford and Meyers remain the primary individuals in custody, Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom confirmed that the investigation is far from over. Ballistics and scene analysis indicate that at least three distinct firearms were discharged during the melee.
“We’ve identified that at least three firearms were used on scene, so we know now that there were at least three shooters in this incident,” Chief Winstrom stated. “We do want the public’s help… even those involved on the sidelines of this incident to come forward and do the right thing.”
The six surviving victims, whose ages range from 16 to 26 years old, suffered various gunshot wounds to their limbs and bodies. All are expected to make recoveries.
Funeral services for 19-year-old Phillip Sheppard Jr. are scheduled for mid-July at the First Baptist Church of Warrington.
Safford is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for a formal pre-trial detention hearing regarding his upgraded attempted murder charge. Anyone with cellphone footage, photos, or information regarding the identity of the remaining two shooters is urged to contact the Pensacola Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
