40 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder and Shootout with Law Enforcement

Today in Charlotte County, defendant Daniel Jacob Dunn was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 40 years in prison, as a Habitual Felony Offender (HFO), for multiple charges involving a shootout with law enforcement. Earlier this month, Dunn was also sentenced to 40 years in prison as an HFO on Lee County charges in a related case that involved a shooting in Fort Myers.

Assistant State Attorneys Nolan Deming and Caitlin Sorenson prosecuted the Charlotte County case and Assistant State Attorney Marilla Shoemaker prosecuted the Lee County case.

The crimes happened in October 2023 when the defendant shot his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her home in Lee County. She survived the shooting. He then fled to his home in Charlotte County and barricaded himself inside.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded with SWAT teams to the stand-off and attempted negotiations to get the defendant to surrender. After several hours went by, the SWAT team deployed gas into the manufactured home. Dunn then began shooting at law enforcement, through the walls. Deputies fired back.

Two law enforcement officers were injured. The defendant was shot and wounded. He was taken to a hospital, in custody.

In the Charlotte County case Dunn was sentenced as an HFO as follows:

Counts 1-10: Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer: 30 years in prison on each count

Count 11-12: Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (Discharge of a Firearm): 40 years in prison with a 20-year minimum/mandatory on each count

Counts 13-14: Shooting at/into an Occupied Vessel/Aircraft/Vehicle: 30 years in prison on each count

Count 15: Resisting an Officer with Violence: 10 years in prison

In the Lee County case Dunn was sentenced as an HFO as follows:

Count 1: Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm: 40 years in prison with a 25-year minimum/mandatory

Count 2: First Degree Burglary While Armed: 40 years in prison with a 25-year minimum/mandatory

Count 3: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Actual Possession): 30 years in prison with a 3-year minimum/mandatory

All of the charges are to be served concurrently. Forfeiture of all seized firearms, weapons, and ammo was ordered. Restitution to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was also ordered and reserved.

Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director