On September 2, 2024, the Panama City Police Department responded to a parking lot at the City Marina in Panama City, Florida, following several calls reporting shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers found Berris McNamee, a 42-year-old resident of Columbus, Georgia, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
The investigation quickly identified a suspect, Demarcus Lykes, 38, also from Columbus, Georgia.
Detectives believed Lykes was in a specific area of Bay County, prompting a collaborative search effort involving the Lynn Haven Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol, in addition to the Panama City Police Department.
Lykes was located by a Lynn Haven officer at the end of Arthur Drive in Lynn Haven at approximately 10:13 AM. A standoff ensued, with numerous officers responding to the scene. The Panama City Police Negotiations Team engaged in negotiations with Lykes for over an hour and a half, ultimately leading to his surrender at 11:54 AM without incident.
It was determined that Lykes knew the victim and had specifically targeted him, indicating that the act of violence was not random. As a result, authorities do not believe there is any further public safety risk. Lykes is being charged with an open count of murder and will be booked at the Bay County Jail.
The investigation was supported by various law enforcement agencies, including the Lynn Haven Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the United States Marshal Service. The public's cooperation was also crucial in this investigation, and witnesses are encouraged to provide any additional information to the authorities.
