PANAMA CITY, Fla. (CBS12) — Two men were charged with aggravated battery after a confrontation involving a machete and a hatchet outside a Panama City Publix, according to police records.
The fight happened Aug. 4 in the parking lot of the Publix at 4601 Lindsey Crossing. Panama City police identified the men as James Tristan Gay, 35, and Everette Eric Krichbaum, 52.
According to Gay’s arrest affidavit, Krichbaum was sitting in his vehicle when Gay drove up and stopped nearby. Witnesses told investigators Gay got out of his vehicle and approached Krichbaum in an aggressive manner, leading to a verbal confrontation.
Police said Gay then returned to his vehicle, retrieved a machete and approached Krichbaum again. Krichbaum allegedly displayed a hatchet, and the two men began struggling over the weapons.
Krichbaum told investigators he felt threatened because of his age and inability to physically defend himself and said he initially showed the hatchet in an attempt to deter Gay. According to the affidavit, Gay struck Krichbaum in the face with the sheathed machete before the two began fighting over the weapons. Krichbaum said Gay later struck him in the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
Gay admitted during a recorded interview that he intentionally stopped to confront Krichbaum over prior issues, according to the affidavit. Investigators said Gay acknowledged that he could have left the scene but chose not to, retrieved a machete from his vehicle and struck Krichbaum with it.
Detectives also reviewed surveillance video from Publix. According to the affidavit, the video showed Gay arriving, approaching Krichbaum aggressively, returning to his vehicle for the machete and then re-engaging Krichbaum.
Investigators determined Gay was the primary aggressor, saying he had an opportunity to disengage but instead escalated the encounter. Gay was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Panama City police said both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries and both were ultimately charged in connection with the fight.
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Bay County Jail records reviewed for this story show Krichbaum was booked into the jail at 11:35 a.m. Aug. 7. His listed charge is aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, and his bond was set at $50,000.
A probable-cause affidavit explaining the basis for Krichbaum’s charge was not available in the Bay County court records reviewed for this story.
The Panama City Police Department has asked anyone with information about the case to call 850-872-3100 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.