Police Identify Fugitive Homicide Suspect Shot Dead By Detectives

SILVER SPRING, MD — The fugitive homicide suspect who was fatally shot by Montgomery County police in Virginia Beach on Wednesday has been identified, according to authorities.

Police said 51-year-old Hans Huitz, of Virginia Beach, Va., was wanted for the 1992 murder of James Essel in Montgomery County. On Wednesday morning, U.S. Marshals and cold case detectives from Montgomery County tried to arrest Huitz after his DNA linked him to the crime scene. Huitz was shot and killed after a confrontation with authorities.

According to Virginia Beach Police, law enforcement officials confronted Huitz while he was in his vehicle in the 900 block of Maitland Drive. While authorities were negotiating his surrender, Huitz presented a firearm — which resulted in detectives using deadly force.

No law enforcement officials were injured during the confrontation.

Per standard protocol, the detectives involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave, Montgomery County police said.

Huitz is accused of murdering James Essel, the owner of Sugarloaf Mountain Market in Comus.

On March 22, 1992, a customer found Essel, 57, dead behind the checkout counter. An autopsy was performed on Essel's body the next day and his death was ruled a homicide.

Police believe that he was stabbed to death inside the store during an apparent robbery. The suspect's blood was found at the scene.

At the end of January 2020, Huitz was identified as a possible suspect, police said. On Feb. 10, 2020, Virginia Beach Police and Montgomery County cold case detectives obtained a search and seizure warrant to obtain a cheek swab from Huitz.

"The sample Huitz provided was analyzed and positively identified Huitz as the suspect who had committed the murder of James Essel in 1992," Montgomery County police said.

According to authorities, Huitz was going to be charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, and robbery with a dangerous weapon.