Suspect in custody after ‘suspicious and dangerous’ threat to community off Jones Loop Road

Author: Haley Zarcone Writer: Rachel Murphy
Published: Updated:
jones loop
Massive presence of Charlotte County deputies, Punta Gorda police, and other departments (CREDIT: WINK News)

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has a suspect in custody following an hours-long incident they described as a “suspicious and dangerous threat to the community.”

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell addressed the media. “At about 9 o’clock this morning, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting on Third Street,” said Prummell.

He said a victim at the shooting scene sustained several gunshot wounds.

Deputies tracked a suspect, Daniel Dunn, to his home on Mandy Street in Punta Gorda.

“He barricaded himself within the residence and our SWAT team and negotiation team were called out,” said the sheriff. “We negotiated with him for several hours, and at some point, he began shooting rounds at our deputies. Deputies returned fire and struck Mr. Dunn, at which time he surrendered.”

Dunn was taken to the hospital. He faces charges of aggravated battery and burglary with a firearm out of Lee County, according to Prummell.

He will likely face additional charges in Charlotte County for shooting at deputies.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies were also involved in the search for the suspect.

Dunn has a long sheet of offenses dating all the way back to 2010. His most recent mugshot from the Department of Corrections dates back to 2019.

“I know him very, very well. And I know he would not do something like that unless somebody really pushed his buttons,” said Richie Ferrara, a friend of Dunn’s. “He’s been in trouble in the past, but it was for like weed and [expletive] like that. Something like this, I would never see coming.”

Daniel Dunn mug shot. CREDIT: CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Though Dunn was scheduled for a first appearance in bond court Monday, he remains in the hospital. A judge still ordered he be held on bond.

He has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and– when he is recovered enough, he will be transferred to jail on a bond of $1 million. He was also charged with armed burglary, which carries a $500,000 bond.

His next court date will be on Nov. 27.

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