Suspect in Panama City Beach Attack Arrested
Suspect in Panama City Beach Attack Arrested Save Email Print
Posted: 4:48 PM Mar 18, 2008
Last Updated: 7:53 AM Mar 19, 2008

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Authorities say a security guard at a Panama City hotel allegedly took a Tuscaloosa teenager into an empty room and sexually assaulted her then pushed her off a 6th floor balcony.

Panama City Beach Police say Shawn Wuertley, 29, was on duty when he allegedly took the Alabama girl, 18, into an empty room and assaulted her.

The two began to struggle and he pushed the girl over a sixth floor balcony of the sandpiper beacon beach resort.

She landed in a second-floor stairwell and suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Tuesday afternoon, police say they arrested Wuertley in another area of Bay County.

He'll be booked on charges of attempted felony murder, sexual battery and false imprisonment.

It's not immediately known if he has a lawyer.

A background check later turned up an outstanding arrest warrant from Indiana on a burglary charge.

A supervisor at the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort, where the girl was staying, declined to comment.

The victim is conscious and being treated for her injuries in the hospital.

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Posted by: Janet Location: Indiana on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:17 AM
My 19 yo daughter stayed at the Sandpiper last week and this same man assisted her friend who was in need of help. This man is a preditor and needs to be locked up forever!! My blood ran cold when she told me this is the same man who helped them. Always travel in twos and be safe while having fun.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Enterprise AL on Mar 19, 2008 at 03:06 PM
I THINK THATS A SHAME! EVERY SPRING BREAK MY FAMILY HAS STAYED AT THAT HOTEL AND LOVED AND NOW KNOWING THAT SUCH A HORRIBLE THING HAPPENED I DOUBT WE WILL EVER STAY THERE AGAIN.... I HOPE THAT GGIRL IS OK!!

Posted by: Karen Location: Blakely,GA on Mar 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I will pray for this girl. It's a crying shame that this guy's record was not thoroughly checked before being hired as a security guard for such a busy motel as the 'Sand Piper'. I hope that management will make a comment & pay for all this girls bills and apologize publicly to not only her, but her parents, family and friends who will have to support her during this time. I pray this will not scar her for life and she will be able to move on from this traumatic experience. Please know that we are not all animals and this man was just a maniac. To all you other girls on spring break...TRAVEL IN TWOS---NEVER ALONE!!! It makes it a little harder to grab two, than one. May God speed her recovery and keep her safe. In the meantime, this man should be done the same way he did her. But, then he should be punished in jail for a very long time. Then send him back to Indiana to accept punishment there, as well.

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