Brent Hofman (Shawano Co. Jail)
SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Brent Hofman was ordered to stand trial for allegedly killing Rick Roundy during an incident in Germania Nov. 12 and shooting another man, court records show.
Hofman, 75, was bound over for trial after testimony at a preliminary hearing Tuesday on counts of first-degree intentional homicide and attempted homicide. An arraignment is scheduled for March 11.
According to the complaint, Hofman, Roundy and Roundy’s friend were at a bar having drinks when Hofman made the comment about having to kill people.
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.
At a previous hearing, District Attorney Greg Park said: “They’ve known this defendant for many years, hunting on their adjoining properties together. There was nothing that was said, in any type of nature, that he believed would aggravate or upset the defendant that would cause him to do such a thing.”
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.
Roundy suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the autopsy cited in the complaint.
Parker said, “The defendant stated he was sorry. He denied having a gun, but the officer pointed out putting an empty holster on the tip. The defendant had lacerations to his face and to his head. This was apparently from Victim #2 shooting at him through the glass pane on the door.”
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. Because Roundy is considered elderly at age 67, 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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