210 Freeway Reopens After Police Detain Shooting Suspect
Four-hour manhunt ends in Lake View Terrace with arrest of alleged gunman
Jesse Gary, Sean Browning
Four-hour manhunt ends in Lake View Terrace with arrest of alleged gunman
A four-hour manhunt in Lake View Terrace ended Wednesday evening as deputies cornered a two-strike parolee suspected of shooting a state parole officer in the face.
The alleged gunman, identified as 43-year-old Steven Hoff, was brought into custody after search dogs found him under debris in an abandoned pool shortly after 6 p.m.
"He had barricaded himself underneath there," said Lt. Eddie Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Homicide Bureau. "The dogs found him and subsequently bit him."
Police confirmed that the suspect had been shot and was taken to a hospital for treatment, although when he was injured was not clear.
As part of the manhunt, a 3-square-mile perimeter was set up. Fears that the suspect was armed with a high-powered rifle led deputies to shut down nearby roadways, including a portion of the 210 Freeway.
The 11000 block of Foothill Boulevard was also closed. Nearby homes were evacuated.
By 6:30 p.m., the 210 Freeway was reopened.
Two schools were placed on lockdown during the manhunt. Eight staff members were at Brainard Avenue Elementary School and 166 students plus staff were at Delphi Academy of Los Angeles.
Around 6 p.m., students and staff were starting to be transported by armored vehicle to a nearby Sizzler restaurant. They were later released to their families at the location.
The incident began about 1:20 p.m. Wednesday.
Acting on a tip, state parole officers approached the suspect inside a large detached trailer in Lake View Terrace for an alleged parole violation, according to authorities.
"As they made entry into the residence ... they were confronted with gunfire by a suspect. One of the parole agents was struck in the face by the gunfire," LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman said.
"One of the officers returned fire. We're not sure if the suspect was hit," Sheriff's Lt. Eddie Hernandez said. "The suspect appeared to engage officers first."
The 40-year-old parole officer was taken away in an ambulance and underwent emergency surgery Wednesday night. He is listed in serious but stable condition.
His partner was not injured, Neiman said.
Investigators are still searching for one of two handguns allegedly used by the suspect. They also detained a woman who was found inside the trailer with the suspect.
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