A Florida man is facing numerous felony charges after allegedly killing a hotel employee in Kentucky over the weekend.
According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Robert Pannell was arrested Saturday at a Best Western hotel in Paducah, Kentucky. Police received a call at around 9:48 a.m. that morning concerning an active shooter.
A responding Paducah officer found a female inside the hotel, on the first floor with gunshot injuries to her head and body. Outside in the parking lot, another officer found the suspect and detained them.
“During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that the suspect, Robert Pannell, had assaulted a male and female in the parking lot of the hotel after the couple could not give Pannell a cigarette lighter,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Pannell then went inside the hotel with a handgun and walked down a hallway. Pannell then shot the female victim and shot multiple rounds indiscriminately. Multiple people were in close proximity to Pannell when he indiscriminately fired his handgun. At some point, Pannell threw his handgun inside the lobby of the hotel.
“Pannell was a guest at the hotel, but so far it is undetermined what led to his actions. Detectives are currently and will continue to investigate.”
Fox News Digital reports that the victim passed away from her injuries. Her name has not yet been released.
Pannell has been charged with murder, disorderly conduct, menacing, resisting arrest, assault, and wanton endangerment.
Pannell is reportedly from Palm Coast, Florida, and was staying at the Kentucky hotel during the time of the shooting. It’s unclear why he was there. He remains behind bars at the McCracken County Jail on a $2.5 million bond, jail records indicate.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Police Handout]
