SPRINGFIELD — Two people were hospitalized and a suspect is in police custody after a shooting at a house party Sunday evening, police said.
Springfield Police were called to 3728 E. Ninth St. around 6:20 p.m. Sunday, said Chief Philip Thorne. Two men had been shot, and they were taken to the hospital. Thorne did not release information on the extent of their wounds or their conditions.
Investigators with the Panama City Police Department and the Bay County Sheriff's Office were in the area working on an unrelated case when the shots were fired, Thorne said.
"Officers heard the shots and came toward the scene ... an Asian male actually walked up to a Panama City Police officer, handed him a gun and surrendered," Thorne said, adding later, "We're thankful the officers were close by to be able to secure the individual as quickly as they did."
Thorne said the man in custody, who has not been identified, had not been interviewed as of about 7 p.m. Sunday. Police were making arrangements to have a certified interpreter present during the interview.
"Because he is Asian — even though he apparently speaks some English — we want to make sure that we cover our bases and protect his rights," Thorne said.
The information police had at the scene indicated there were no other suspects in the shooting. The victims, who were not identified Sunday night, were targeted by the shooter, Thorne said.
"It's not random," Thorne said.
The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is not far from the eastern border with Panama City, which has been beset by gun violence over the past several months. There have been no homicides in Springfield in 2014.