Two Florida men were charged with aggravated battery after police said a dispute over a romantic relationship escalated into a weapon fight at a Publix parking lot in Panama City on Aug. 4, 2026. Investigators said James Gay, 35, approached Everette Krichbaum, 52, before returning with a machete and striking him. Police said Krichbaum then swung a hatchet during the confrontation.
Both men suffered injuries and were taken by ambulance to a hospital. Gay was arrested on Aug. 4, while Krichbaum was arrested the following day after his release from the hospital. Both were being held at the Bay County Jail as of Aug. 7.
The case remains based on allegations in police and arrest records. Authorities identified Gay as the primary aggressor, while both men face criminal charges related to the altercation.
| 1) | Dispute over a relationship precedes confrontation |
| 2) | Police describe machete and hatchet allegations |
| 3) | Both men receive hospital treatment |
| 4) | Arrests and charges follow the incident |
| 5) | Prior conviction adds context to one defendant’s case |
Dispute over a relationship precedes confrontation
The confrontation occurred Aug. 4 in the parking lot of a Publix supermarket in Panama City, Florida. According to an arrest affidavit, Krichbaum was sitting in his vehicle when Gay approached and began a verbal altercation.
The dispute was reportedly connected to a woman whom Krichbaum was dating and whom Gay had previously dated. Stephanie Marshall, who identified herself as Gay’s girlfriend, was listed as a witness in a Panama City Police Department report. She said she and Gay had been dating since June 2026.
Police describe machete and hatchet allegations
Investigators said Gay initially left the area before returning to his vehicle and coming back with a machete in its sheath. The arrest affidavit states that he struck Krichbaum in the face with the weapon.
As the men faced each other, Krichbaum began swinging a hatchet, according to statements attributed to Gay. Police later identified Gay as the primary aggressor. The account describes a rapidly escalating confrontation involving two edged or bladed weapons in a public shopping area.
“Attacked … over his ex-girlfriend,” Gay told police, according to the arrest records.
Both men receive hospital treatment
Officers responding to the parking lot found Gay with a deep cut on his pinky finger that exposed bone, along with a puncture wound to his lower abdomen. The records state that Krichbaum had multiple lacerations on his hands and face.
Krichbaum told investigators that he became unconscious after Gay struck him in the head with the machete. Both men were transported by ambulance to a hospital for medical treatment before the arrests were completed.
Arrests and charges follow the incident
Gay was arrested on Aug. 4 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. After Krichbaum was released from the hospital on Aug. 5, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him.
Krichbaum faces a charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability. As of Aug. 7, both men were being held in the Bay County Jail. It was not immediately clear whether Krichbaum had an attorney, while records listed Gay as representing himself.
Prior conviction adds context to one defendant’s case
The current case is not the first violent altercation involving Gay, according to court and corrections records. In 2011, he was convicted of aggravated battery in connection with the death of a 16-year-old boy near Panama City.
Court records state that Gay used a chain wrapped around his hand to fracture the teenager’s skull. Other defendants were also charged in that case. Gay was sentenced to 15 years in prison and was released early in June 2024, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The fight took place at a Publix parking lot in Panama City on Aug. 4, 2026. |
| 2 | Police said the dispute involved a romantic relationship and weapons. |
| 3 | Both men were injured, hospitalized and later arrested. |
| 4 | Both defendants remained in the Bay County Jail as of Aug. 7. |
Summary
The Panama City confrontation led to aggravated battery charges against both Gay and Krichbaum after police said a personal dispute turned violent in a busy retail parking lot. The allegations include the use of a machete and a hatchet, injuries requiring hospital care, and separate arrests after treatment. The charges remain allegations to be resolved through the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the confrontation occur?
It occurred in the parking lot of a Publix supermarket in Panama City, Florida, on Aug. 4, 2026.
What charges do the men face?
Gay was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, while Krichbaum was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability.
Were either of the men injured?
Yes. Police records describe injuries to both men, and both were taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.
What was the reported motive?
Police records and witness information indicate that the confrontation was connected to a dispute involving a woman whom Krichbaum was dating and whom Gay had previously dated.
