Dothan rival gangs terrorize Panama City Beach: ‘Don’t come back’
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WTVY) - Bay County authorities charged four Dothan teens, described as rival gang members, in a string of shootings that terrified spring breakers and others.
“This trash that comes from that area,” said Panama City Police Chief Police Chief J.R. Talamantez, while qualifying that statement by saying there are wonderful people in the Dothan area.
Three teens face charges in connection with Saturday’s Pier Park shooting that sent three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
18-year-old Kevin Tyrone Moore, 18, faces three counts of Attempted Homicide, 15-year-old Jamarion Lamont Baker with one count of Attempted Homicide, and Avaughn Ahmad Brown, a 17-year-old charged with Possession of a Firearm as a minor and drug possession.
An unrelated shooting spree Thursday night that hurt nobody led to the arrest of 18-year-old Isaiah Tyshawn McKenzie, also of Dothan.
Talamantez said that the teens are leading them to others involved in the shooting.
“All those involved in the stupidity at Pier Park, we know who you are,” he said, warning them not to come back to Panama City Beach.
Talamantez did not identify the suspects’ gang affiliation, saying, “They don’t deserve to have their stupid names mentioned.”
In the other incident that happened Thursday night, the chief said rumors of a gun inside Hammerhead Fred’s, a Thomas Drive restaurant, scared children who ran from the business in fear.
McKenzie, per the chief, shot four times into the air because he wanted to scare those already panicked.
WATCH THE FULL PCB SHOOTINGS PRESS CONFERENCE
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford praised officers from several agencies for their dedicated efforts investigating these shootings.
“They have my utmost respect, and they should have the utmost respect from this community,” Ford told reporters.
In the past few years, spring break has been problematic for law enforcement, leading to new laws and crackdowns.
Three years ago, a Dothan man was among over a dozen accused of rioting during spring break.
Speaking live on WTVY, WTVY.com, and the News4 app, Ford issued a stern warning to those contemplating causing problems.
“It’s going to be a bad weekend if you come to Bay County and commit crimes,” a frustrated Ford said. “We’ve won these battles before, and we will win these battles again.”
Ford called out businesses that he believes accommodate unsavory patrons, mentioning Hammerhead Fred’s; we’ve got Harpoon Harry’s and Longboard’s, among others.
Panama City Beach Mayor Stuart Tettemer also threw down the gauntlet.
“If you come to Panama City Beach and cause problems, we will find you, catch you, arrest you, prosecute you, and send you to jail.”
Watch the full press conference video above this story.
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