PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – A Carterville man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with an incident that happened recently in a bar parking lot in Panama City Beach, FL.

According to a press release from the Panama City Beach Police Department, officers responded to an altercation at the Coyote Ugly Bar on Front Beach Road shortly after midnight on Monday, April 10 and found 31-year-old Dayvon Larry of Malone, FL lying unconscious in the parking lot of the establishment. Larry was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The ensuing investigation, which included the review of surveillance footage from the scene, led to the identification of a suspect, 23-year-old Ross Johnson of Carterville. Police say Johnson’s friends were involved in an altercation inside the bar before it went outside to the parking lot. Then Johnson got involved.

Witness accounts and surveillance footage revealed that Johnson had struck Larry with a closed fist behind his left ear, causing him to fall to the ground. Johnson then proceeded to join in the ongoing physical altercation with an unknown male, leaving Larry unattended. Subsequently, Johnson fled the scene via a rideshare service.

Police later that day located and apprehended Johnson. After being read his Miranda rights, Johnson provided inconsistent statements about the incident. Later, he confessed to striking the victim. A medical examination determined that Larry’s cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma. Johnson has been charged with manslaughter, in violation of Florida Statute §782.04(2). He has been transported to the Bay County Jail, where he will await further legal proceedings.

Police say four other individuals have been charged for their involvement with two being from Carterville.

Thirty-year-old Toby LeShane Wallace of Carterville was arrested on Monday, April 10. He has been charged with simple battery.

Twenty-three-year-old John Dero Chester II of Carterville was arrested on Tuesday, April 11. He has been charged with disorderly conduct on the premises of an establishment.

Thirty-two-year-old Timothy Lynn Helton of Salesville, AR was arrested on Monday, April 10. He has been charged with simple battery.

Twenty-six-year-old Malcom David Santiago-Ramos of Panama City, FL was arrested on Tuesday, April 11. He has been charged with inciting a riot.

Police in Panama City Beach continue to investigate and say more charges may be forthcoming.