DeFuniak family faces felony charges for alleged shooting Incident

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A DeFuniak Springs man and his parents are facing felony charges for a shooting incident that reportedly injured a 17-year-old girl, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has announced.

According to the WCSO, on March 18, the Crestview Police Department reached out to the WCSO after they were notified of a patient at North Okaloosa Medical Center with a gunshot wound. It was initially reported that the wound was accidental and self-inflicted in nature and happened at a home at 408 Commerce Circle in DeFuniak Springs.

WCSO deputies went to the home and reportedly spoke with Anthony Hughes, 59, who claimed he was at the store when the shooting took place. After the home was secured, deputies said they noticed drops of blood in one of the bedrooms located at the back of the house.

An investigation reportedly revealed the incident was not accidental and that Kai Hughes, 21, allegedly used the gun to shoot and injure the victim.

On March 26, the WCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau conducted a search warrant at the home on Commerce Circle and arrested Kai Hughes, his father, Anthony Hughes, and his mother, Audrey Hughes, 54.

Kai Hughes is charged with aggravated child abuse and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also charged with possessing a weapon or ammunition in June 2023.

Audrey Hughes is charged with accessory after the fact, and Anthony Hughes is charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence.

The charges stem from the WCSO reportedly discovering that Anthony Hughes and Audrey Hughes knew about the incident and were not forthcoming with investigators. In addition, Anthony Hughes allegedly hid the weapon used in the shooting from investigators.

Audrey Hughes and Anthony Hughes were both issued a $5,000 bond.

Kai Hughes was issued a $100,000 bond.