Hux Denied Bond, Plans Insanity Defense To Charges Of Attempted Murder Of Deputy Off Chemstrand Road

January 12, 2023

A suspect that shot and injured an Escambia County deputy off Chemstrand Road will remain in jail without bond until trial after the police union and the sheriff told the judge he is dangerous to the public.

The suspect, Daniel Jeremy Hux, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder after he allegedly shot the deputy four times on Limerick Lane in 2019.

Thursday, Hux’s attorney said he will present an insanity defense.  Hux is due back in court and his trial is set for mid-February.

In a January 5, 2023 letter to Judge Coleman Robinson, Sheriff Chip Simmons wrote:

“Hux placed a call to 911, effectively luring law enforcement and first responders into an ambush and attempted to kill two of my deputies. He called 911 stating someone had kidnapped his son and told ECSO dispatch he needed medical assistance. He also advised dispatch he was not feeling violent and did not have any weapons. This was obviously not true. While one deputy was knocking on his front door, another walked over to the carport area where he saw Hux with a firearm. Hux, upon seeing the deputy, opened fire, hitting the deputy multiple times. I am alarmed and gravely concerned for the safety of the citizens of Escambia County and for the safety of all law enforcement and first responders that may be called upon again to respond to his residence.

“It is hard for me to believe that we currently face the possibility that this attempted murderer could be released into our community. I am sympathetic to those with mental illness, but that does not, in my opinion, relieve him of responsibility and his release will not make our community a safer one.

“I implore the court to use every available resource to ensure Hux is confined to either a secure detention facility, or a long-term mental health treatment center to ensure the safety of our community. I can’t imagine anyone would believe that his release, in any capacity, is a good idea if they themselves were the ones tasked with responding to an incident involving Hux.”

The Northwest Florida Police Benevolent Association also issued a plea to keep Hux from being freed:

“While it is a miracle that our deputy survived, it would be an absolute travesty of justice to allow his attempted murderer to return back to the community. This cold-blooded attempted murderer poses a clear and present danger to our entire county and to the men and women who serve and protect our county,” the union said in a press release Wednesday.

December 11, 2019 Shooting

At about 1:30 p.m. on December 11, 2019, suspect Hux called 911 and requested to be taken to the hospital, stated that he was contemplating suicide, and that he was standing outside under a pine tree.

Deputy Douglas Shoemaker was dispatched to the address on Limerick Lane for a welfare check. He did not see anyone outside, knocked on the front door and went to a side carport door. At 2:16 p.m. he canceled Escambia County EMS.

Shoemaker was joined  by Sgt. Melissa Lee. They again checked the doors of the residence, and Shoemaker returned to the carport and knocked on the side door again. He saw a figure moving to the door through frosted glass. When the door opened, he saw the muzzle of a firearm pointed toward him, and the person holding it opened fire. Shoemaker said he was hit by the first round in the chest and immediately ran and secured cover. The deputy then returned fire at Hux until he saw him “go down”.

Shoemaker suffered gunshot wounds to his chest, right side and right middle knuckle, and he was grazed on the forehead.

The sergeant heard the gunshots and saw an arm with a handgun sticking out of the door. Hux began to shoot in her direction, forcing her to seek cover at her vehicle. Lee indicated she did not fire because she could not see a clear target.

Deputy Shoemaker was shot four times and Hux was struck twice. Both were transported to the hospital and both survived. The State Attorney’s Office cleared the deputies of any wrongdoing.

Hux’s wife told investigators that Hux had become increasingly paranoid and delusional over several months. She said he called her the morning of the shooting and told her, “he loved her, and everything would be OK”.

“It is hard for me to believe that we currently face the possibility that this attempted murderer could be released into our community. I am sympathetic to those with mental illness, but that does not, in my opinion, relieve him of responsibility and his release will not make our community a safer one.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured top inset: Daniel Jeremy Hux in court on January 12, 2023, courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

12 Responses to “Hux Denied Bond, Plans Insanity Defense To Charges Of Attempted Murder Of Deputy Off Chemstrand Road”

  1. Chrissy on January 14th, 2023 6:39 pm

    I’m glad this man has no bond! He doesn’t deserve one, but if it were a normal person he shot, not an officer, he’d be out in bond already. I’m all about supporting our officers. But what about us, normal, everyday people. The amount of shootings in our county have gone up so much, people need a reason to think about shooting someone before they do it. Really though, jail and prison isn’t enough to scare them. It’s really sad.

  2. Bill T on January 14th, 2023 5:26 pm

    Here it is Son you’re Done!!!!!!!

  3. Disgusted on January 13th, 2023 6:45 pm

    This is not mental illness, this is sheer evil. No excuses for this one.

  4. Anne on January 13th, 2023 12:51 pm

    Feel this guy was seeking DBC Death By Cop when he came out shooting.
    An assisted suicide. He needs to stay behind prison bars until he is no more.

  5. Stanley Beech on January 13th, 2023 8:53 am

    i’ve told yall several times how to stop these things from happeneing but my comment i always too violent. Until you face someone about to stab you with a knife or kill you or a family member, Wat would you o? Do you think the thug deserves to live?

  6. Niknak50 on January 13th, 2023 8:17 am

    Way too much effort is made to bring perps like this in alive. Way too much.

  7. Safebear on January 13th, 2023 7:54 am

    I am all about treating people for mental illness but, if they are crazy enough to do it one time, they will probably do it again. They need to be locked up and convicted and spend their time in a mental institution to get the help they need.

  8. mnon on January 13th, 2023 7:37 am

    This isn’t California or New York, we don’t care about your mental wellness if you want to injure others you can stay in prison or locked away in Lakeview.

  9. Jeff on January 12th, 2023 6:57 pm

    Judicial system would be crazy to allow his insane plea

  10. fish21 on January 12th, 2023 6:39 pm

    I wonder how safe his wife will feel if he is released and back in her house? She better remove all firearms now.

  11. northofI10 on January 12th, 2023 3:39 pm

    Insanity, and yet sane enough to plan, and carry out an attack on Law Enforcement Officers. No excuses this was not in the heat of the moment and/or a meltdown or panic attack. This was a deliberate ambush designed to wound or kill. These types of attacks and all attacks on officers have gone on long enough without serious consequences to those that use the legal system to their advantage. Time for this to STOP and defend and protect those that serve and protect us!

  12. David on January 12th, 2023 2:58 pm

    I believe that this man can plead insanity until the bad place freezes over, but it sure sounds that he had an agenda to murder any police officer in the easiest way possible for reasons known or unknown. It was planned out, perhaps he or a family member had had an undocumented previous encounter with an officer and he just wanted revenge on any of them regardless of who they were. Whatever the cause it is obvious that he is a danger to society.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News