Two men in messy love triangle arm themselves with machete and hatchet during Medieval-style brawl in Publix parking lot

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:53, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 20:53, 9 August 2026 A brawl between two men in Florida saw the pair take up arms with a machete and a hatchet as they fought over a 'love interest.' Everette Krichbaum, 52, and James Gay, 35, were arrested and charged on Tuesday over the August 4 'physical altercation' in a Publix parking lot in Panama City.  The pair became involved in a verbal argument before their weapons were drawn, with Gay named as the 'primary aggressor,' police told Fox News.  Krichbaum had been in his car at the parking lot when Gay approached him before the argument ensued, the affidavit obtained by the outlet said.  Gay then walked to his own vehicle and produced a machete in its sheath, which he then hit Krichbaum in the face with, according to the affidavit.  Video footage captured the moment Gay approached the vehicle and unsheathed the knife and approached the driver's side of the car.  Krichbaum then drew his own weapon and began swinging a hatchet at Gay, the 35-year-old told police.  'A sworn statement from the victim revealed that he felt threatened due to his age and inability to defend himself. The victim stated he initially brandished a hatchet in an attempt to deter the defendant,' the Panama City Police report said.  Everette Krichbaum, 52, seen above, and James Gay, 35, were arrested and charged on Tuesday over the August 4 'physical altercation' in a Publix parking lot in Panama City Video footage captured the moment Gay approached the vehicle and unsheathed the knife and approached the driver's side of the car The pair became involved in a verbal argument before their weapons were drawn, with Gay named as the 'primary aggressor' Gay's girlfriend, Stephanie Marshall seen with Gay, said that the feud had been sparked over a woman that Krichbaum is dating and Gay previously dated According to arrest records obtained by the outlet, Gay was left with a gash on his pinky finger that exposed bone and a wound to his stomach.  Meanwhile, Krichbaum suffered multiple cuts to his hands and face and told law enforcement that he had become unconscious from the blow to the head.   Gay's girlfriend, Stephanie Marshall, told the outlet that the feud had been sparked over a woman that Krichbaum is dating and Gay previously dated.  Gay claimed to police that he had been 'attacked... over his ex-girlfriend,' Fox News reported.  'During a recorded, post-Miranda statement, the defendant admitted that he intentionally stopped his vehicle to confront the victim regarding prior issues, stating the victim had been harassing him,' the police report stated.   He was later arrested after his release from hospital and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Krichbaum was also released from hospital and arrested for aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability. Both Gay and Krichbaum were booked into Bay County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The Daily Mail reached out to The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Panama City Police for comment.