Shooting suspect set for trial

PANAMA CITY -- A man who allegedly shot at two customers after a sour drug deal has a trial date set to argue his case.

Sonny Pierce, 28, of Panama City Beach, is facing charges of intent to sell marijuana and attempted second degree murder after allegedly shooting into a car in June of last year and hitting a potential customer in the hand and chest, according to arrest records. His trial has been set for November.

Jeramy Ducharme and David Simmons met with Pierce at the Home Depot, 409 E. 23rd St., to make a drug deal, the two men told police.

All three met in Pierce’s car and, as they began to negotiate a marijuana deal, Pierce pulled a pistol. Both Ducharme and Simmons fled the vehicle and got back in their car. As they started to drive off, Pierce stood in front of the car and fired once through the front windshield, hitting Ducharme in the hand and chest. Ducharme continued to drive off when Pierce fired a second round into the driver’s door, police said.

Ducharme survived the shooting, and Simmons escaped without injury.

Pierce also is facing charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle, discharging a firearm in public, aggravated assault with a firearm, use of a two-way device to commit a felony, possession of paraphernalia and marijuana with intent to sell.