Summerfield, Florida – A man who fatally shot another man in late 2023 has been apprehended by local authorities. The suspect, Joseph Edward Horrighs, was taken into custody on Tuesday after law enforcement received a tip regarding his whereabouts. Deputies located Horrighs walking along the roadway in the 3300 block of Southeast 93rd Street. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder with a firearm and taken to the county jail.
During Horrighs’ initial court appearance via Zoom, County Judge Robert Landt informed him that he would be held without bond. The 38-year-old stated his intention to hire an attorney but had not yet made a final decision. Horrighs’ next court date is scheduled for April.
Horrighs’ case was presented before a grand jury, presided over by Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti, at the Marion County Judicial Center. The hearing, which lasted approximately 2 1/2 hours, resulted in the grand jury indicting Horrighs on the charge of first-degree murder. The proceedings of the grand jury are confidential.
Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt will be prosecuting the case against Horrighs. Deputies had initiated a search for Horrighs following his indictment, eventually locating and apprehending him.
The victim in this case, Darius Duntel Jones, was shot by Horrighs in late September 2023. Jones, who was 55 years old at the time of his death, was found deceased near the roadway. Authorities revealed that Horrighs had a connection to Jones’ death, supported by evidence gathered during the investigation. Furthermore, it was discovered that Horrighs, Jones, and a woman known to Horrighs were together prior to the incident.
Horrighs has a criminal history that includes previous convictions for drug possession, grand theft, fleeing a law enforcement official, grand theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, and possession of burglary tools. He was released from prison in March 2023 after serving time for these offenses.
Given the seriousness of the charges, Horrighs may face significant legal consequences. The court recently sentenced another individual to 35 years in prison for fatally beating an 85-year-old man, highlighting the severity of these crimes and the potential penalties that may be imposed.
As the case unfolds, further details and developments will emerge. For additional information, please contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected].