PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL – A chilling sequence of events unfolded in a quiet neighborhood when a man allegedly killed his roommate and fired shots at another, following days of sleep deprivation. The incident has left the community in shock and raised questions about the suspect’s mental state.
The drama began Tuesday afternoon when Port Saint Lucie police were alerted to a body in a driveway. Responding officers heard gunshots and discovered a 25-year-old man, handcuffed and bleeding, yet alive, on the road. Nearby, they apprehended 43-year-old Justin Hobble and found a firearm close by.
Tragically, Jonathan Simoneaux, 26, was found with a gunshot wound to his chest in a neighbor’s driveway. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Authorities revealed that the victims had been staying with Hobble for several days without sleep, which may have contributed to the escalation of violence.
Police Chief Leon described the situation as unprecedented, noting that Hobble and the deceased victim had become convinced that the handcuffed man was a foreign spy. This delusion led to the man being restrained against his will.
As tensions rose, Simoneaux attempted to seek help from a neighboring house. However, Hobble and the restrained victim followed, culminating in Hobble allegedly shooting Simoneaux and firing at the fleeing handcuffed man. Fortunately, the latter managed to evade further harm as police arrived on the scene.
Hobble’s background, which includes military service, is being scrutinized alongside potential mental health issues exacerbated by cocaine use and lack of sleep. A neighbor recounted the unsettling experience, expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in their community.
Currently, Hobble faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and false imprisonment. He remains in the Saint Lucie County Jail without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings.