In a dramatic turn of events in Lakeland, Florida, a suspect is now in custody after an officer-involved shooting that unfolded on Monday afternoon. The incident began when Lakeland police responded to reports of a man in a white Lincoln sedan who appeared to be incapacitated. The vehicle was stopped at a stop sign in the 1700 block of Lakehurst Street, with the engine still running.
Upon approaching the suspect, identified as 57-year-old John Alfred Hofman, officers attempted to engage in conversation. However, Hofman abruptly woke up and proceeded to ram into a nearby vehicle as he fled the scene. Despite the initial encounter, police did not pursue him at that moment. Hofman was later spotted at a gas station in the 3400 block of U.S. 98 North, where officers once again attempted to stop him. However, he evaded capture for a second time.
The situation escalated when the suspect’s vehicle was located in the Village Plaza parking lot just after 1:15 p.m. As officers approached the car, Hofman moved from the back seat to the front seat and began ramming two police vehicles in an attempt to escape. It was at this point that a Lakeland police officer fired at Hofman multiple times in response to the imminent threat.
Following the shooting, Hofman fled the scene, leading officers on a chase along U.S. 98 North until he crashed near Douglas M. Cook Park. During the pursuit, one officer sustained minor injuries and was promptly treated and released from Lakeland Regional Health. Hofman, on the other hand, was taken to LRH for evaluation, although he did not appear to have any visible injuries. Subsequently, he was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail.
Hofman’s criminal history revealed a troubling pattern, with over 30 criminal charges and 10 felony convictions on record. In addition to the charges stemming from his arrest on Monday, he also had outstanding felony warrants from Sumter and Volusia counties. Given the gravity of the situation, the Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force from the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Office of the State Attorney will be conducting an investigation into the incident, as is customary for all officer-involved shootings.
The events that transpired in Lakeland serve as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face in the line of duty. The swift actions taken by the officers involved in apprehending the suspect underscore the bravery and dedication exhibited by those who work tirelessly to protect and serve their communities. As the investigation unfolds, the community awaits further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting and the subsequent arrest of John Alfred Hofman.