PANAMA CITY, FL – A birthday celebration turned tragic in Florida when a dispute at a traffic light escalated into a deadly shooting. Authorities report that the incident began with a verbal exchange between occupants of a gray pickup truck and a red SUV, which quickly escalated into a brief physical confrontation.
As the SUV attempted to leave the scene, the pickup followed closely. During this pursuit, the passenger in the pickup allegedly brandished a firearm, threatening to kill the occupants of the SUV and expressing indifference to the consequences of his actions.
Moments later, the situation turned fatal as multiple gunshots were fired. The driver of the SUV, a woman celebrating her 48th birthday with her family, was killed. Her daughter, Mary Lee, sustained critical injuries and is currently on life support, unable to speak or use her right arm.
The suspect identified as Jubbal Simmons, who was allegedly the shooter, has been charged with murder. The driver of the pickup faces charges of fleeing from law enforcement.
A 911 call captured the desperate attempts of bystanders to assist the victims, with one caller urging others to apply pressure to the wounds and perform CPR. Despite these efforts, the birthday celebrant succumbed to her injuries.
Mary Lee’s father and brother, David and Davin Lewis, have spoken about her condition, sharing that she remains on a ventilator but can communicate to some extent. They are hopeful for her recovery, though the road ahead is uncertain.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with funeral and medical expenses, highlighting the community’s support in this difficult time.
The incident has shocked the Panama City community, underscoring the devastating impact of gun violence and the fragility of life. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, seeking justice for the victims and their families.