Victim, suspect in a deadly Panama City shooting were both from Columbus, police say

Two men from Columbus were involved in a homicide in Panama City, Florida, according to a Facebook post from the Panama City Police Department.

Police said they responded to the parking lot at the City Marina Monday morning in reference to calls of shots being fired. Responding officers found Berris McNamee, 42, of Columbus, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to police.

Officers began searching for a suspect identified as Demarcus Lykes, 38, of Columbus, according to the post.

The post said detectives believed Lykes was in a particular area of Bay County in Florida, and a Lynn Haven, Florida officer found his vehicle at 10:13 a.m. Monday in Lynn Haven.

Numerous officers responded and a standoff with Lykes ensued, according to the post.

“Panama City Police Negotiations Team negotiated with Lykes for over an hour and a half until Lykes surrendered at 11:54am without incident,” the police department said in a Facebook post.

Police said they didn’t believe this was a random act of violence and believed Lykes knew the victim and specifically targeted him.

The post said Lykes was being charged with an open count of murder and will be booked at the Bay County Jail.

Police are asking witnesses to contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or report their tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.