Three Jamaican men were arrested and charged following the killing of another Jamaican man and the injuring of his girlfriend in Panama City Beach, Florida.
The dead man, identified as 23-year-old O’Neil McDonald, is said to be the son of a former Jamaica national football player. The injured woman is 21.
Those charged are 23-year-old Andre Jermaine Ranglin, Devaughn Devante Jones, 23, and Ricardo Everton Golden, 37. All three are from Panama City Beach.
Ranglin is charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted capital murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, firing a deadly missile into an occupied dwelling and attempted armed burglary.
Jones is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and destruction of evidence. Golden is also charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
The Panama City Beach Police Department said Tuesday they received a call of shots fired at the 10X Apartment complex, 9700 Panama City Beach Parkway.
Responding officers reportedly discovered McDonald’s lifeless body with several gunshot wounds near the 1300 building. The officers also found the woman suffering from a single gunshot wound.
First responders administered first aid and transported the female victim to the hospital, where she underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to investigators, there was an ongoing dispute between McDonald and Ranglin. The investigators allege that the evidence shows that Ranglin, seen wearing a dark-coloured hoodie, approached McDonald’s apartment complex from a nearby location.
Several shots were reportedly fired at McDonald, who was outside the complex. He ran, but the gunman reportedly chased him through the parking lot and continued firing, ultimately killing him. Investigators say more than 10 rounds were fired at McDonald.
After the killing, the gunman reportedly turned his attention to the female, who was originally standing beside the now-deceased. Police reports said the gunman reloaded his weapon and fired several rounds at her as she attempted to seek shelter in her apartment.
As she tried to close her apartment door, the gunman allegedly attempted to push the door open but was unsuccessful. He reportedly fired a single shot through the door, striking the female in the chest.
Investigators allege that after the shooting, Ranglin fled the scheme on foot and contacted Jones. Golden reportedly later picked the men up and carried them to a motel in Bonifay, Florida. From there, they travelled to Dothan, Alabama.
The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force located Ranglin and Jones hiding at a local Dothan, Alabama motel. They are currently being held in Houston County, Alabama, awaiting extradition. Golden is being held at the Bay County Jail. (Jamaica Observer)
