Victim of Port St. Joe ‘Hate Crime' Shooting Dies

Everett Gant of Port St. Joe died Monday in Bay Medical Center in Panama City six weeks after he was shot in the head in what authorities have labeled a hate crime.

Gant, 32, had not left BMC or regained consciousness since being shot in the Pine Ridge Apartments in Port St. Joe the night of July 30.

Walton Henry Butler, 59, was arrested in the shooting on attempted murder charges with a hate crime enhancement.

Gulf County Sheriff Joe Nugent said he will meet with State Attorney Glenn Hess on the exact process, but that Butler would be charged with an open count of murder.

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