PANAMA CITY— A 17-year-old boy was killed in a shooting that led to the arrest of two others.
A release from the Panama City Police Department says the shooting took place on Nov. 25 at the Foxwood Apartments at 1701 Hamilton Ave. in Panama City.
When officers arrived, they found the 17-year-old with a gunshot wound.
Bay County Emergency Medical Services and members of the Panama City Fire Department attempted life-saving measures, but teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a Nov. 26 news conference, Chris Nichol, captain of PCPD’s investigative services section, said another teenager made the original 911 call and attempted to mislead officers. Through interviews and analysis, police determined the suspected shooter Aaron Brooks, 19, Nichol said.
It is the policy of The News Herald, part of USA Today Co., not to name minors in articles about crime.
Nichol said Brooks, the teen who was shot and the one who made the 911 call had been using drugs and recklessly handling the firearm for hours leading up to the incident. There were eight people in the apartment at the time of the shooting.
“The motive is still under investigation, but somebody has to intentionally squeeze the trigger for the firearm to go off,” said Nichol in response to a reporter asking if it’s possible the shooting was an accident.
At this time, Nichol said police don’t believe the shooting was accidental.
Nichol said the investigation led police to believe that Brooks pointed the gun at the 17-year-old boy and squeezed the trigger. Nichol said Brooks left the scene after the incident and that investigators were originally told that the 17-year-old’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted and an accident.
Investigators believe that Brooks owned the firearm at the time of the incident but are looking into the “long-term” owner, Nichol said. The weapon was a 9mm Taurus pistol.
Brooks is facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence. He was also charged with violation of probation from a 2024 case, where he was found guilty of improper exhibition of a firearm. Brooks is being held in the Bay County Jail without bond.
The teenager who made the 911 call is charged with accessory after the fact to a murder.
Nichol said while the investigation is ongoing, police were able to locate and arrest suspects within about six hours of the incident because of help from the community and the efforts of investigators.
Those with more information can call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
The 17-year-old’s mother has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for his funeral service.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 17-year-old shot and killed in Panama City. 19-year-old arrested
Reporting by Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
