PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Panama City Beach Police released more information regarding the shooting that took place at Panama City Beach’s Majestic Towers.
Three out-of-state men were arrested following the shooting that inflicted gunshot wounds to an 18-year old woman. The men include 20-year-old Damien Marrell Chhoeung, 19-year-old Elijah Chhoeung, and 21-year-old Hunter Hatfield.
The report states that Damien Chhoeung fired the gun by mistake after attempting to remove sand from the firearm, later admitting in an arrest affidavit that he was drinking. The three men were on the 16th floor of the resort. Only one shot was fired.
Damien Chhoeung is facing charges of improper exhibition of a firearm in public, possession of cannabis, and tampering with evidence. His bond is $85,000.
Both Elijah Chhoeung and Hatfield were charged with tampering of evidence, with both having $25,000 bonds. Hatfield posted his bond.
The PCB police department says the investigation remains active and further arrests linked to the incident could be made
Read the previous story below:
Report: Panama City Beach shooter was cleaning sand from gun when it fired
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — A 20-year-old Georgia man was cleaning sand from his gun while on a condo balcony when it accidentally discharged, according to an arrest report.
Damien Chhoeung of Fayetteville was also drinking when he removed the gun from his backpack and attempted to “get sand out of his firearm,” police wrote. However, Chhoeung’s cleaning method was “reckless” and “negligent” and the weapon fired. The gunshot hit a woman in the leg while she was walking on the beach near Chhoeung’s condo.
The woman suffered “great bodily harm,” and was rushed to a local hospital. After the shooting, Chhoeung gave the gun to an as yet unnamed “co-defendant” who threw it in the woods, police wrote.
Chhoeung was later located and arrested. He is charged with possession of marijuana, improper exhibition of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in public.