A 75 year old service station attendant is attacked during a robbery attempt
Archie Lee Kennington was a beloved husband, father, step-father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Archie was a WWII Army veteran and a Florida native who had been living in Florida’s panhandle since 1945. Not much else is known about who Archie was as a person, but it seems that he left behind a legacy with his large family.
The morning of Archie’s death.
On the evening of May 6, 1970, Archie arrived at Thoni’s Service Station in Panama City, FL for his shift at approximately 6:00 pm. Archie’s normal shift was what some may consider the graveyard shift, as he was usually scheduled to work from around 6:00 pm until the next morning.
Later in his shift, on the early morning hours of May 7, 1980, Archie was brutally attacked by at least one suspect, who had attempted to rob the service station. Archie is later found by two customers visiting the station to fill their car up with gas between 2:30 and 3:00 am.
Archie is found inside the service station.
Two young women arrived at the service station between 2:30 and 3:00 am that morning to fill their car with gas. What they found inside the station was truly a nightmare. Inside they found Archie lying in a pool of blood in the doorway of the station’s office. The pair immediately left to go get the police, returning shortly after. Once police arrive at the scene, Archie is transported to a local hospital, where he passed away from his severe injuries.
The investigation begins.
Archie’s autopsy determined that he had been stabbed 12 or more times with either a hunting knife or a lock-blade pocket knife. Additionally, Archie’s skull was fractured, likely from being hit on the head with a hard, blunt object. A final stab wound behind Archie’s ear penetrated his brain, ultimately leading to his death.
Authorities determined that only $75 had been stolen, rather than the larger sum of money left in the store. Investigators also determine that there may have been 2 individuals involved in the robbery as well as Archie’s murder.
Did Archie know his killer(s)?
According to investigators, Archie was very popular with his customers and was well-known around town. Authorities add that Archie had made statements about knowing he would never let anyone rob him. Investigators also believe he knew his attacker and allowed them to enter the station and office, where he was counting money, without resistance
“Kennington had made several statements to the effect that he would not allow himself to be robbed and indicated that he would resist such an action with deadly force” - Guy Tunnell, lead investigator.
Where the case stands today.
Today, it has been more than 42 years since Archie was attacked and killed while working at the service station in Panama City, FL. Authorities continue searching for holes in their past investigation, to try to fill in any blanks they may have missed. If you have any information, please contact Panhandle Crime Stoppers at (850) 785-TIPS (8477).
