Panama City, Fla. (WDNews) –Officers responded to a shooting where they found 48-year-old Georgeann Garner and her 19-year-old daughter, Marileigh Lewis, suffering from gunshot wounds. Good Samaritans had begun rendering aid before officers and EMS arrived. The victims were transported to a local hospital, where Garner succumbed to her injuries. Lewis remains in critical condition.
Two other passengers in their vehicle were unharmed.
Suspects Flee, Pursued by Police
The suspects, driving a Dodge Ram, fled the scene, leading police on a reckless chase through parking lots and onto the property of the Holiday Inn near Hwy 231 and Hwy 77. Officers attempted to block the vehicle due to the severity of the shooting, but 21-year-old Ivybella Encino rammed a PCPD patrol unit, disabling both vehicles. She was then taken into custody without further incident.
Her passenger, 23-year-old Jubal Simmons, fled on foot but was caught shortly after.
Investigation & Charges
Detectives confirmed that the victims had no prior connection to Simmons or Encino. Evidence suggests that the violence stemmed from a road rage dispute that escalated after a verbal altercation and brief physical confrontation. As Encino drove past Garner’s vehicle, Simmons fired approximately 11 rounds, striking Garner and Lewis and hitting another vehicle.
Authorities thanked the Good Samaritans who assisted the victims and recognized the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Bay County EMS for their quick response.
Charges Filed:
Ivybella Encino
- Accessory to Murder
- Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
- Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding Law Enforcement
- Driving While License Suspended/Revoked
Jubal Simmons
- Murder
- Attempted Murder (x3)
- Firing into an Occupied Vehicle (x2)
- Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle
- Tampering with Evidence
- Resisting Officers Without Violence
ORIGINAL_– A shooting at a busy Panama City intersection left one person dead and another critically injured Saturday afternoon.
According to police, calls about gunfire at the intersection of Highway 231 and Harrison Avenue began coming in around 4:17 p.m. Responding officers quickly spotted a gray Dodge Ram pickup truck fleeing the scene and pursued the vehicle north on Highway 231. The chase ended near the intersection of Highway 231 and Highway 77, where officers took the suspects into custody.
At the scene, authorities discovered a red GMC Terrain that had been shot. Two occupants inside the vehicle had sustained gunshot wounds. Private citizen’s surrounded the victims and began CPR on at least one of the victims while appearing to comfort the other individual before officers arrived. This incident took place in the middle of a highly busy intersection with onlookers everywhere. Officers, along with personnel from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol, provided aid until EMS arrived. The victims were transported to a local hospital, where one later died from their injuries. The second victim remains in critical condition.
The names of those involved are being withheld while authorities notify next of kin. Investigators are reviewing a video of the incident circulating on social media and urge the public to avoid sharing the footage out of respect for the victims.\
Police assure there is no ongoing threat to the community but emphasize that the case remains an active homicide investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 850-785-8477.
