On a busy Monday afternoon in north Lakeland, shoppers were startled by a police-involved shooting that unfolded during the lunch hour rush. The incident involved a 57-year-old man from Webster, Florida, identified as John Alfred Hofman, who was wanted on felony charges. The situation escalated when Hofman led officers from the Lakeland Police Department on a slow-speed chase through several shopping center parking lots, ultimately ending in a neighborhood park where he was apprehended.
The chain of events began when concerned citizens reported a man behind the wheel of an old white Lincoln sedan who appeared to be incapacitated. The vehicle was parked at a stop sign with the engine still running along Lakehurst Street between Lakeland Hills Boulevard and Lake Parker. When LPD officers attempted to engage with the suspect, he abruptly woke up and accelerated, colliding with a nearby citizen’s vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Subsequently, officers located Hofman at a gas station on U.S. Highway 98 North and made another attempt to stop him. However, the suspect evaded capture once more, prompting LPD to refrain from pursuing him due to the congested roadway. The situation took a dangerous turn when Hofman’s vehicle was discovered parked at the Village Plaza parking lot, and as officers approached, he aggressively drove at their patrol cars, repeatedly ramming them in an attempt to escape.
In a dramatic turn of events captured on bystander video, three marked patrol vehicles pursued the white Lincoln with visible damage through various parking lots, including those of Best Buy, Jo-Ann’s, and Beall’s. Despite the chaos, Hofman managed to speed onto U.S. Highway 98 North and eventually crashed into a cinderblock wall near Douglas M. Cook Park, bringing the chase to a dramatic conclusion.
During the altercation, one officer sustained minor injuries and was promptly treated and released from Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Meanwhile, Hofman was arrested and transported to LRH for evaluation, although he did not exhibit any apparent injuries. Subsequently, he was taken into custody and transferred to the Polk County Jail to face a slew of charges, including those stemming from the day’s events as well as existing felony warrants from Sumter County and Volusia County.
Given Hofman’s extensive criminal history, which includes over 30 charges and 10 felony convictions, the gravity of the situation is evident. The 10th Judicial Circuit Officer-Involved Deadly Incident Task Force has taken over the investigation, with the officer who discharged their weapon placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry.
In conclusion, the police-involved shooting in north Lakeland serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of law enforcement encounters and the risks officers face in the line of duty. The incident underscores the importance of thorough investigations and accountability in such situations to ensure transparency and justice for all parties involved.
