Escambia Co. Sheriff Defends Deputies’ Use of Deadly Force in Arby’s Shooting; Community Voices Concerns

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (BuzzReport) – Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons on Friday staunchly defended his deputies’ actions following the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Daniel Hayes inside a local Arby’s restaurant on Thursday evening. The incident, which occurred in a matter of seconds, has sparked debate and raised questions within the community, particularly regarding the use of deadly force instead of alternative methods like tasers.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Arby’s on Highway 98 after receiving a tip regarding Hayes’ whereabouts. Hayes, an employee of the fast-food chain, was wanted on felony warrants stemming from a violent incident the previous week where he allegedly held a screwdriver to a victim’s throat during a home burglary.

Sheriff Simmons stated that upon entering the Arby’s, Hayes ran behind the counter, brandished a knife, and refused deputies’ commands to drop the weapon. He emphasized the confined space and the presence of two to three Arby’s employees in close proximity to the unfolding situation. 

“There were two to three Arby’s employees in this confined area,” Simmons explained. “By this time, deputies had made their way over the counter into this small area, giving commands to drop the knife. This all happened in a couple of seconds.”

The Sheriff’s Office asserts that bodycam footage corroborates their account, showing Hayes lunging towards deputies with the knife. Simmons further revealed that one deputy attempted to physically restrain Hayes, but was thrown to the ground.

“One of the deputies actually tried to grab him and was thrown off onto the ground,” Simmons said. “By the time he gets up there’s a deadly threat – and that’s not the time to holster your weapon and get a taser out.”

However, the community is grappling with the decision to use firearms, questioning why tasers were not deployed. Some members have even voiced concerns that racial bias may have played a role, suggesting that Hayes, a black man, was subjected to a harsher response than a white individual might have received.

Sheriff Simmons addressed these concerns head-on, emphasizing the immediate danger posed by Hayes and the potential ineffectiveness of tasers in such a rapidly evolving situation. He highlighted the limitations of tasers, mentioning that their effectiveness depends on the accuracy of the prongs and the clothing being worn.

“Second, tasers aren’t always effective,” Simmons stated. “They have prongs and depends on what you wear and how accurate the prongs are, they may not have been effective. What you need to understand is this is not something we wanted to happen.”

Sheriff Simmons also reminded the public of Hayes’ violent history and the fact that he actively resisted arrest while armed. “There’s a 38-year-old male wanted for some serious violent felonies, he fled and armed himself with the knife and he refused commands and went towards the deputies,” he stated.

He firmly defended his deputies’ actions, asserting that they acted in accordance with policy to protect themselves and others. “The policy is you protect yourself and others. And sometimes if you’re facing a deadly threat, you have to use deadly force,” Simmons said. He further added that deputies had previously shown restraint, refraining from firing shots even when potentially justified.

While acknowledging the difficult circumstances surrounding the shooting, the community remains divided. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the bodycam footage is expected to be reviewed thoroughly.