Brent Hofman (Shawano Co. Jail)
SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Brent Hofman “was talking ‘weird’ and said he had to kill people and took his pistol and shot his friend,” according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday for a town of Germania homicide last week.
Hofman, 74, was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Hofman appeared in court Tuesday, where a $1 million cash bond was set.
According to the complaint, Hofman, the victim, and the victim’s friend were at a bar having drinks when Hofman made the comment about having to kill people.
Later, the three were at residence on County M when Hofman allegedly shot the victim. The friend called 911.
The friend, identified as Victim #2, described what happened.
“Victim #2 stated “Victim #1 came around the corner and Brent pulls his pistol and just starts to shoot for no reason”. Victim #2 stated neither he or Victim #1 said anything that would aggravate or upset Brent to cause him to do this. Victim #2 stated he witnessed Victim #1 “go down”, and that he ran out the door of the garage and into Victim #1’s house. Victim #2 stated he locked the door of Victim #1’s house and armed himself with his Ruger .22 Pistol. Victim #2 stated after arming himself he loaded the pistol and sat on an Ottoman. Victim #2 stated “If that guy comes to the window, he is (expletive) dead. And he did. And I started to shoot. He was going to get into the house, he wanted to kill me”. Victim #2 stated that is all that happened,” the complaint states.
“During my interview with him, Victim #2 indicated there was no event that occurred or any reason for the actions taken by Hofman. He indicated the relationship was neighborly for years and nothing occurred during the visiting in the garage portion of the property to have Hofman shoot Victim #1,” the complaint states.
When police first talked to Hofman, he appeared to be intoxicated, and apologized.
“After medical clearance, Hofman was transported to the Shawano County Jail where was turned over to Correctional Officers. When advised he was being booked in for Homicide, Brent indicated ‘I never hurt anybody.’,” the complaint states.
The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the autopsy cited in the complaint.
If convicted of the intentional homicide count, Hofman faces a mandatory life prison term. Because of the weapon used, another five years could be added to the sentence. And because the victim – age 67 – is considered elderly, another six years could be added to the sentence, the information states. The attempted homicide charge has a 60-year maximum sentence, plus both of the same penalty enhancers.
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