PANAMA CITY BEACH — Deputies are investigating a stabbing Monday night that sent a Panama City Beach man to the hospital, where he was in stable condition Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office.
A witness told deputies she was standing outside of Newby’s Trading Company around 7:30 p.m. Monday. There was a crowd of people in the parking lot, and one man suddenly began running east along Thomas Drive.
The witness then heard Richard Barner, 27, screaming that he had been stabbed and called 911. Barner sustained a “severe laceration” to his stomach and was taken to Bay Medical Center in critical condition, according to Bay County Sheriff’s Office report.
Barner’s condition was upgraded to stable, the BCSO said Tuesday.
Deputies detained three other Panama City Beach men who matched the description of men seen running from the scene. However, no arrests had been announced Tuesday evening.
Investigators were waiting for Barner to recover enough to give a statement about what happened. The investigation is ongoing.