Man Arrested For Allegedly Shooting Turtle Rescue Volunteer
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LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA (CBSMiami) – A man is under arrest for allegedly shooting a sea turtle volunteer in Lauderdale by the Sea – and the survivor is telling his story.
Stanley Pannanman, 72, said it all happened on Friday while he was volunteering for the South Florida Audubon Society as a Marine Turtle Permitted volunteer who works with sea turtle hatchlings.
The volunteers were working on the beach at Lauderdale by the Sea when 38-year-old Michael McAuliffe reportedly approached them.
Pannanman said an unprovoked McAuliffe started to rush him.
The 72-year-old, who has a concealed weapons permit, pulled out his gun.
He thought the situation was defused, but instead told investigators McAuliffe grabbed his gun.
Pannaman said McAuliffe then hit him with the gun and then shot him in his waist area
"He gets down on one knee and he says, 'Are you all right?' and I looked at him and said, 'Sir, you just shot me! How can I be all right?'" said Pannaman.
Pannaman also has a cut on his head from the attack.
McAuliffe is in the Broward County Jail where he's being held with no bond. He is being charged with two counts of aggravated battery with deadly weapon, possession of weapon or ammo by convicted Florida felon and battery on person 65 years of age or older.
The bullet is still lodged in Pannaman, and he said he can't have it removed until the swelling goes down.