One man is dead and another is behind bars following a shooting near Hotel Indigo on Monday morning.
“We have determined or believe that the suspect and the victim, both from the Columbus, Georgia area, knew each other and that the suspect was actually targeting the victim,” Deputy Chief of Police John Moore said.
Panama City Police responded to several calls of shots being fired outside Hotel Indigo near the Panama City Marina. Officers say they found the body of 42-year-old Berris McNamee with apparent gunshot wounds lying on a nearby sidewalk.
“And this was not a random act of violence,” Moore said.
The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Demarcus Lykes. Moore said officers believe Lykes knew the victim.
“We also do not believe that there’s any future or current public safety risk because of this incident,” Moore said.
Lykes reportedly drove to Lynn Haven where a police officer located him at the end of Authur Drive.
“That’s when a standoff began between Lykes and the police. The suspect was initially non-compliant and a standoff began with officers from our agency, Florida Highway Patrol, the county sheriff’s office, Lynn Haven Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service,” Moore said.
After about an hour and a half, the suspect surrendered without incident.
Officers are not able to comment on the motive at this time.
“It’s an ongoing investigation. So we have a lot of work to do. To track travel from not only the victim but from the defendant, from where they came from, how they got down here,” Moore added.
Lykes is being charged with an open count of murder and has been booked into the Bay County Jail.
Panama City Police are asking any witnesses to come forward as they investigate. You can call the department at 850-872-3100. Or you can remain anonymous by calling the Crimestoppers tips line at 850-785-tips.
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Source: mypanhandle
