PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Two men are facing serious criminal charges after a heated argument in a Publix parking lot escalated into a violent confrontation involving weapons on Tuesday, August 4. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Police Department (PCPD), both individuals were arrested and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident.
Roadside Confrontation Escalates
The altercation reportedly began on a nearby road before moving into the commercial parking area. Authorities state that 52-year-old Everette Krichbabum was in his vehicle when another car pulled into the Publix lot and stopped near him. The driver, identified as 35-year-old James Tristan Gay, exited his vehicle to confront Krichbach.
Police affidavits indicate that prior harassment between the two men may have contributed to the tension, though specific details of earlier interactions were not provided in official reports. Once both men had exited their vehicles, a heated argument ensued. The situation deteriorated rapidly when Gay returned to his car and reemerged holding a machete.
Weapons Involved and Injuries Sustained
Krichbach is accused of arming himself with a hatchet during the struggle. According to police reports, Gay struck Krichbach with the sheathed machete before a physical fight broke out. The affidavit details that Krichbach fell unconscious during the scuffle, after which Gay admitted to stomping on him while he was on the ground.
Both men sustained injuries primarily to their hands in addition to other trauma from the altercation. Despite the severity of the weapons involved and the physical struggle, medical personnel determined that neither injury was life-threatening. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment before being taken into custody by law enforcement officials later that day.
Charges and Arrests
A day after the incident, PCPD charged both men with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Gay is named as the main aggressor in police reports. Krichbach was arrested without incident at a residence in Vernon, Florida, by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
During interviews with investigators, Gay stated that he could have left the scene before the violence escalated but chose to stay due to "personal pride." Conversely, Krichbach told authorities he brandished his hatchet only as a deterrent against what he perceived as an immediate threat from Gay. He noted that despite being physically limited by age, he attempted to defend himself until the situation spiraled out of control.
