Donald Anderson, known as Jayy Wick, was arrested in metro Atlanta on May 5 in connection with a Florida beach shooting that critically injured an 18-year-old man. Authorities said the 26-year-old now faces an attempted first-degree murder charge.
Deputies said the shooting happened around 11 p.m. April 25 at Beach Access 83 in Panama City Beach, where they found the 18-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators said eyewitnesses identified Anderson as the person who fired multiple shots at the victim, and the sheriff’s office said he fled the scene after the attack.
The case carries a steep penalty if prosecutors win. Anderson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison and up to life imprisonment if convicted, according to authorities.
Sheriff’s officials said Anderson was later seen performing on stage at Vibez Night Club in Panama City, while in the area for “229 Takeover Weekend.” Investigators obtained an arrest warrant on May 4 and traveled to metro Atlanta to conduct surveillance and interviews before taking him into custody the next day without incident. A firearm was recovered during the arrest.
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said his office would not tolerate violent behavior in the county and added that it does not matter who a suspect is or where he is from: if someone comes to Bay County to commit crimes, authorities will find them and hold them accountable. Anderson is expected to be extradited to Florida as the investigation continues and detectives keep interviewing witnesses.
The arrest closes the distance between a beach shooting in Panama City Beach and a capture in metro Atlanta, but the case itself is still moving. What happens next is in Florida, where prosecutors will decide how to build a case that could send Anderson away for decades.
