Tourist shot in confrontation stemming from a marijuana deal in Panama City Beach area
PANAMA CITY BEACH − A tourist was injured during a shootout that sprang from a confrontation over a marijuana sale, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said.
According to a news release from the Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred at about 3 a.m. Thursday in a home along Thomas Drive in the Panama City Beach area. A resident of the home told deputies that a group of tourists from the Birmingham area contacted him about purchasing marijuana.
"He met them at his home and conducted the sale with two men, one wearing a ski mask and the second not wearing a ski mask," the release reads. "The men purchased the marijuana and left, only to return a short time later. The two were agitated and accused the resident of the home of giving them not enough marijuana in exchange for the money they paid.
"One of the two men went out to their vehicle and brought a third man into the home who also wore a ski mask. The victim, concerned about the anger of the three men, agreed to return the money for the marijuana."
The release also said that of the three men upset over the deal, one had a handgun and another had a rifle.
"As the men wearing ski masks left, they grabbed the marijuana. ... The victim shut and locked the door, with the third man still inside the residence. The victim ran upstairs to get his own firearm and warn the other individuals that lived in the home."
The third man still inside then let the two masked men back into the home, and a shootout began, according to police.
"It is unclear at the time who began shooting first," the release reads. "The resident of the home shot one of the men wearing masks in the abdomen. This was the only person injured in the shooting."
The three men fled the home, and the resident called 911. With the help of BayROC, a "real-time crime center," local law enforcement officials were able to identify the vehicle of the three men at a condo along Front Beach Road.
Panama City Beach police officers and Bay County sheriff's deputies made "a tactical entry" into the condo.
"Found inside were two men involved in the armed robbery, and several others staying with them in the condo," the release said. "One of the men involved had a gunshot wound, and he was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition."
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Five of the people found inside the condo were detained and interviewed by BCSO investigators. Two people were arrested: 21-year-old Patrick Underwood and 19-year-old Kendrique Wesley. Both are from Birmingham, Alabama. A warrant also was issued for 19-year-old Christopher Hardeyn of Fultondale, Alabama.
All have been charged with armed robbery, and additional charges are expected.
"Law enforcement believe this was a shooting related only to the drug deal and not random."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Tourist shot in confrontation over marijuana deal Panama City Beach
