SPRINGFIELD— Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in late April.
The Springfield Police Department announced the arrests of Travauntay Lawton Patterson, 21, and Giovannie D’Angelo Simmons, 22, in connection with the incident. Khaled Jamar Brown, 19, has a warrant out for his arrest.
Simmons’ arrest affidavit was the only one in the Bay County Clerk of Court as of June 3. The affidavit says the incident happened April 29 at 5:45 p.m. in the 5100 block of 11th Street in Springfield.
Springfield police responded to a shooting and made contact with Damien Huertas, 20, who had been shot in the left arm but was responsive. A 17-year-old who has yet to be identified by police was found unresponsive with unknown injuries. The teen was taken to Acension Sacred Heart Bay, where he was pronounced dead.
Simmons’ arrest affidavit says Huertas told investigators that the deceased victim had set up a drug deal, $6,000 for six pounds of marijuana. A June 3 police news release said Brown arrived at the residence with the 17-year-old to conduct the transaction.
Following the transaction, Patterson struck Huertas in the back of the head and then shot him in the left arm, according to police. The 17-year-old had been shot in the back and arm, with witnesses telling the department the second shot was fired through the front door of the residence as he attempted to close it.
SPD said Patterson and Brown then left the residence, and Huertas called emergency services. Simmons had been present for the transaction and was instructed by Huertas to leave with the marijuana, as Huertas was on house arrest, according to the affidavit.
Brown was charged with second-degree murder but has yet to be apprehended. Patterson was also charged with second-degree murder and was taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service in Tallahassee on June 2.
Simmons was taken into custody on May 1 by SPD on charges of tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Two arrested, one wanted, in fatal Springfield shooting
Reporting by Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Gentile, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
