12/20/2019 'Person of interest' in Friday's Cove shooting charged with human trafficking, sexual battery on minor - News - Panama

- Panama City News Heral…

‘Person of interest’ in Friday’s Cove

shooting charged with human tra cking,
sexual battery on minor
By Patrick McCreless
Posted Apr 7, 2019 at 10:37 AM
Updated Apr 7, 2019 at 10:37 AM
PANAMA CITY — A person of interest in Friday’s deadly shooting has
been charged in a separate case, and police are asking for anyone with
information regarding the shooting to come forward.

Michael Harrison Hunt, 53, has been charged with human trafficking
and sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18, according to a release
from Panama City. He continues to be a person of interest in the
quadruple shooting Friday that left one dead and three seriously injured.

Investigators are continuing to pursue Friday’s shooting and are

requesting anyone around the 100 block of Allen Avenue with
surveillance footage from that night to come forward.

“The department would like to thank the many citizens who have
provided information regarding this case for their assistance,
cooperative community efforts are the key to solving crime,” the press
release reads. “Additionally citizens who live in the area near the scene
who have video surveillance systems are encouraged to contact the
agency so that the footage captured that night can be reviewed.”

Investigators have yet to release the identity of the victims in the case.
However, investigators have said the shooting wasn’t random and that
the victims were known to the suspect or suspects.

“Although it is believed that the suspects and victims in this case are
known to each other, the community is encouraged to report any
suspicious activity to law enforcement,” the press release reads.”

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12/20/2019 'Person of interest' in Friday's Cove shooting charged with human trafficking, sexual battery on minor - News - Panama City News Heral…

Hunt is a registered sex offender from a prior case handled by the US

Military. Police were searching for Hunt before the shootings, with
court records indicating he failed to appear for pretrial on 2018 charges
of “unlawful sexual activity with certain minors” and aggravated assault.

Hunt was taken into custody Friday night, just short of 24 hours after
the shooting,near the intersection of US 231 and Star Avenue.

Police have not said if the Thursday shootings were related to Hunt’s
pending charges.

The press release states the Police Department would like to thank the
Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department and
the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Taskforce for their
assistance in the shooting case.

Anyone with information on the shooting should contact the Panama

City Police Department at 850-872-3100. To remain anonymous,
contact Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

Body type J: Also, anyone who is a victim or knows a victim in the

human trafficking case against Hunt are asked to contact Detective
Corrie Clark at 850-872-3100.

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