Incident took place last December during night hunt at boat landing

An Escambia County Man arrested in December for manslaughter has been indicted for murder by a Grand Jury this week.

Shannon Bell was arrested Dec. 2, 2016, and charged with manslaughter and a night-hunting violation in the shooting death of Donna L. Martin. Bell claimed he was attempting to shoot a deer at the Pollard boat landing when a struggle ensued between himself and Martin over the gun, causing an accidental discharge.

Monday, the Grand Jury found enough evidence to change the charge to murder; however, details of the hearing are not made public. Evidence was turned over to the Grand Jury following an initial investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Game and Fish Division. The case remains under investigation.

As of press time Bell remained in the Escambia County Detention Center on $150,000 bond.