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"Two-Striker" Parolee Facing Attempted Murder Charge For Allegedly Shooting A Parole Officer In The Face
Photo by Gunnar Pippel via Shutterstock
A shooting yesterday in Lake View Terrace has left a parole officer hospitalized in "serious but stable condition," according to City News Service. The suspect is 43-year-old Steven Hoff, reports the L.A. Times, a parolee who allegedly shot at the law enforcement officers who were out looking for him Wednesday afternoon.Parole officers and deputies with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department were seeking Hoff, a parolee-at-large, and upon their arrival at a trailer in the 10600 block of Foothill Boulevard, a parole officer was "met with the suspect's gunfire and struck in the face," describes Deputy Benjamin Grubb of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau. Another parole officer fired back at the suspect.
Hoff left the scene on foot, prompting a manhunt that had the 210 Freeway shut down for several hours as officers searched the area. "The closed freeway caused a six-mile backup before it was reopened Wednesday night," notes the Times.
The suspect was found hiding in an empty swimming pool, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was also bitten by a police dog during his capture. Hoff was taken to the hospital for treatment for his injuries. Now, however, he is facing attempted murder charges.
Hoff is described by law enforcement personnel as a "two striker," which means a third conviction could find him sent to prison for life.
In 2002, Hoff engaged officers with LAPD SWAT at his Sylmar home; then, too, officers were seeking Hoff to arrest him for parole violation. "Hoff was convicted of being a felon in possession of a weapon and making terrorist threats, according to court records and law enforcement authorities," adds the Times.
LAPD's Lt. Andy Neiman said that he did not know what Hoff did to violate his parole this time.
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