QUICK ARREST IN OVERNIGHT HOMICIDE ON PANAMA CITY BEACH — MAY 24, 2025
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has made a swift arrest in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred early Saturday morning on Panama City Beach, leading to the death of a local Lyft driver and the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect.
At approximately 2:24 a.m. on May 24, BCSO received a 911 call reporting a shooting near the intersection of Wildwood Road and Emerald Cove Street. Responding deputies arrived within minutes to find a male victim lying in the roadway, suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries a short time later.
The victim’s vehicle, a Lyft-operated car, was located approximately 100 yards north of where the victim was found. Deputies noted visible blood stains and bullet holes inside the vehicle, indicating a violent altercation had occurred within or immediately outside the car.
BCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene Unit promptly joined patrol deputies at the location. Wildwood Road was shut down for several hours overnight as investigators meticulously processed the scene, collected evidence, and documented the events leading up to the fatal shooting.
A key witness reported seeing a male suspect flee the scene on foot, firing a weapon as he scaled a fence and entered the nearby Woodlawn neighborhood. This crucial eyewitness account triggered a large-scale manhunt in the surrounding area, involving multiple law enforcement units.
Thanks to rapid coordination and detailed investigative work, the suspect was identified within hours as Brayden Raul Gomez, a 17-year-old resident of Bay County. Gomez was located shortly thereafter on Dorothy Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident.
During an interview with investigators, Gomez reportedly admitted to being involved in the incident. Authorities now believe that the victim was working as a Lyft driver and had picked up Gomez as a passenger, driving him to a destination Gomez had requested. At some point during the ride, the situation escalated, resulting in the fatal shooting.
Gomez has since been charged with an Open Count of Murder and has been booked into the Bay County Jail. Due to the seriousness of the crime and the suspect’s age, prosecutors are expected to evaluate whether Gomez will be charged as an adult.
As of this report, the name of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin. BCSO has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be considered as more details come to light.
The shocking nature of the crime has deeply affected the community, particularly those who work in the rideshare and transportation industries. Lyft has not yet issued a public statement, but the company is expected to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
Sheriff Tommy Ford commended the quick actions of deputies and investigators, stating:
“This was a tragic and senseless act of violence, and thanks to the swift response of our patrol units and the hard work of our investigators, we were able to bring a dangerous individual into custody before sunrise. Our hearts are with the family of the victim as they cope with this devastating loss.”
Anyone with further information about the case is urged to contact the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The BCSO has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public and pursuing justice in cases of violent crime, and will continue to keep the community informed as the case develops.
