HOUSTON, Texas – A Houstonian who was charged in February with allegedly having sex on a Las Vegas Ferris wheel was shot and killed on Saturday during an apparent carjacking. Two suspects in the shooting are in custody.
Philip Panzica, 27, was apparently leaving a Houston adult entertainment club, Vivid Live, where his fiancé reportedly works as a dancer, according to ABC 13’s Christine Dobbyn. As she was leaving work at about 5:15 a.m., she got in her black Kia sedan where Panzica was waiting, two men jumped into the back seat and pulled a gun on the couple.
The two men, who have now been identified as Byron Watts and Arron Jones, force Panzica to drive away. After driving from the club’s location at Winrock and Westheimer to about Richmond and Jeanetta, Watts told Panzica “You need to come clean,” his fiancé, identified by the Houston Chronicle as Mistie Bozant, told police. After that Watts allegedly opened fire striking and killing Panzica.
The two men then jumped out of the car and dragged Panzica’s now lifeless body from the car, dumping him in the street. They demanded that Bozant get out of the car as well and drove off with the car and her cash. Bozant stopped a Houston Metro bus and asked the driver for help.
The two alleged robbery/carjacking suspects were found later that day about three hundred miles away in Menard County. Menard County is located on backroads about 35 miles north of Junction, Texas. A sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding. A pursuit ensued and police eventually stopped the vehicle in the neighboring Concho County.
After being captured by police, Watts is said to have confessed to both the robbery and murder. He and Jones are now in jail and are charged with capital murder.
Panzica made international news earlier this year when he and another woman, Chloe Scordianos, 21, were arrested for having sex in the Law Vegas “High Roller” Ferris wheel. The two were seen disrobing in the all-glass cabin and then engaging in sexual acts during the 30-minute ride, Breitbart’s Warner Todd Huston reported in February. Panzica and his female friend were charged with a felony charge of committing intercourse acts in public. Panzica reportedly agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge.
Bozant reportedly broke up with Panzica after the incident became worldwide news. They had set a wedding date for the very day that Panzica has the sexual tryst with Scordianos, the New York Daily News reported.
Bozant quickly forgave her boyfriend and paid his $3,000 both to him out of jail two days later, the Daily Mail reported.
The two suspects will be returned to Harris County to stand trial on capital murder charges.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.