Two Florida men have been charged with aggravated battery after an Aug. 4, 2026, confrontation involving a machete and a hatchet in a Publix parking lot in Panama City. Police said the dispute involved a woman who was dating one man and had previously dated the other. Both men suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. They were being held at the Bay County Jail as of Aug. 7.
Investigators identified Everette Krichbaum, 52, and James Gay, 35, as the people involved in the altercation. Police described Gay as the primary aggressor, while arrest records allege that Krichbaum later swung a hatchet during the confrontation.
The case remains based on allegations contained in police and arrest records. Both men face aggravated battery charges, and the available records do not indicate that either defendant has been convicted in connection with the parking lot incident.
| 1) | Police describe the Publix parking lot confrontation |
|---|---|
| 2) | Alleged weapons and injuries documented by investigators |
| 3) | Arrests and charges follow hospital treatment |
| 4) | Previous conviction involving James Gay noted in records |
| 5) | Defendants remain in custody as case proceeds |
Police describe the Publix parking lot confrontation
The altercation occurred on Aug. 4 in a Publix parking lot in Panama City, Florida. According to an arrest affidavit, Krichbaum was sitting in his vehicle when Gay approached and began a verbal dispute. Investigators said Gay then returned to his vehicle before coming back with a machete in its sheath.
Police alleged that Gay struck Krichbaum in the face with the sheathed machete. The dispute was reportedly connected to a romantic relationship involving a woman who was dating Krichbaum and had previously dated Gay. A woman identified in the police report as a witness said she and Gay had been dating since June 2026.
Alleged weapons and injuries documented by investigators
As the two men faced each other, Krichbaum allegedly began swinging a hatchet, according to statements attributed to Gay in police records. Investigators documented injuries to both men, including wounds consistent with the reported exchange of weapons.
Officers found Gay with a deep cut on his pinky finger that exposed bone and a puncture wound to his lower abdomen. Krichbaum had multiple lacerations on his hands and face. He told investigators that he lost consciousness after Gay struck him in the head with the machete.
Gay told police he had been attacked over his former girlfriend.
Arrests and charges follow hospital treatment
Both men were transported by ambulance to a hospital after officers arrived. Gay was arrested on Aug. 4 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the records described in the case.
After Krichbaum was released from the hospital on Aug. 5, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him. He was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability. The agencies became involved through a fugitive task force, while the underlying case was investigated by Panama City police.
Previous conviction involving James Gay noted in records
The records also reference a previous violent conviction involving Gay. In 2011, he was convicted of aggravated battery in the death of a 16-year-old boy near Panama City. Court records said a chain wrapped around his hand was used to fracture the teenager’s skull, and other defendants were also charged in that case.
In 2012, Gay received a 15-year prison sentence. Florida corrections records indicate that he was released early in June 2024. That history is separate from the 2026 Publix parking lot allegations, which remain pending in court.
Defendants remain in custody as case proceeds
As of Aug. 7, both Krichbaum and Gay were being held in the Bay County Jail. The available information did not make clear whether Krichbaum had an attorney. Gay was listed as representing himself.
The charges will proceed through the criminal court system, where prosecutors must establish the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The arrest affidavit and police reports describe the initial account of the confrontation, but further court proceedings could provide additional evidence and legal arguments from both sides.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The confrontation occurred Aug. 4 at a Publix parking lot in Panama City. |
| 2 | Police records allege that a machete and hatchet were used during the fight. |
| 3 | Both men were injured, hospitalized and later charged with aggravated battery. |
| 4 | Both defendants were in Bay County Jail as of Aug. 7. |
Summary
The Panama City case centers on an alleged dispute between two men over a romantic relationship that escalated into a weapon-related fight in a supermarket parking lot. Police say both men suffered significant injuries and face aggravated battery charges. The allegations will be tested through subsequent court proceedings, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the altercation occur?
It occurred on Aug. 4, 2026, in the parking lot of a Publix supermarket in Panama City, Florida.
What weapons were allegedly involved?
Police records allege that Gay used a machete and that Krichbaum swung a hatchet during the confrontation.
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 the men injured?
Yes. Both were taken by ambulance to a hospital. Police records described wounds to Gay’s finger and abdomen and lacerations to Krichbaum’s hands and face.
