Two Men Arrested After Machete Fight in Grocery Store Parking Lot

What Happened?

Two men ended up in the hospital — and then in jail — after a fight involving large blades broke out in a Publix supermarket parking lot in Panama City, Florida.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested Everette Krichbabum and James Tristian Gay (age 35) on Tuesday. Both were charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

How It Started: A Timeline of Events

Here’s how a simple argument turned into a dangerous brawl, step by step:

1. The Confrontation Begins
   Gay drove up to Krichbabum, who was sitting in his car, and intentionally stopped to confront him.

2. Words Turn Heated
   The two men got out of their cars and began arguing. Gay later told police he came to address alleged past harassment by Krichbabum.

3. Weapons Enter the Picture

   • Krichbabum, saying he felt threatened due to his age and physical limitations, showed a hatchet to try to scare Gay away.
   • Gay saw the hatchet, went back to his car, and grabbed a machete.

4. A Chance to Walk Away — Ignored
   Gay admitted to investigators that he could have left but chose to stay because of "personal pride."

5. The Fight Escalates

   • Gay swung the machete — still in its sheath (protective cover) — and hit Krichbabum in the face.
   • Krichbabum reached for a knife, but it stayed in its sheath.
   • The two struggled over both weapons.
6. Injuries and Arrest
   • Both men suffered hand injuries.
   • Krichbabum said Gay hit him in the head, knocking him unconscious.
   • Gay admitted to stomping on Krichbabum while he was on the ground.
   • Both were taken to the hospital, then arrested.

Important Points to Remember

Key Takeaways

• Both men were armed — one with a hatchet, the other with a machete.
• Gay was identified as the primary aggressor in the arrest documents.
• Gay chose not to leave even though he had the chance.
• Both were charged with the same serious crime: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
• Self-defense claims may come up in court, but the facts show mutual combat with lethal weapons.

Why This Matters

This wasn’t a movie scene — it was real life. Two adults made choices that put themselves and bystanders in danger. A parking lot full of shoppers could have been hurt.

Simple lesson: Words can escalate fast. Walking away is always stronger than fighting.

Summary

• Who: Everette Krichbabum and James Tristian Gay (35)
• Where: Publix parking lot, Panama City, Florida
• What: Machete vs. hatchet fight after verbal argument
• Why: Gay confronted Krichbabum over alleged past harassment; both pulled weapons
• Result: Both hospitalized, both arrested, both charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon

FAQ

1. What is a "fixed-blade weapon"?
A knife or blade that doesn’t fold — like a machete, hatchet, or hunting knife. It’s always "open" and ready to use.

2. What does "aggravated battery with a deadly weapon" mean?
It’s a serious felony charge. It means someone intentionally caused bodily harm using something that can kill — like a machete or hatchet.

3. Could this have been self-defense?
Krichbabum claims he only showed the hatchet to scare Gay off. But since both men stayed and fought with weapons, police charged both of them. Courts will decide later.

4. Why did Gay stay if he could leave?
He told police: "personal pride." That phrase is now in the official arrest affidavit.

5. Were any bystanders hurt?
The report doesn’t mention injuries to anyone else — but a parking lot fight with blades puts everyone nearby at risk.

Source: WJHG / Gray News | Based on Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavits