Parolee Shooting Suspect Identified, 210 Reopened

A parolee suspect of shooting a law enforcement officer in Lake View Terrace was captured by law enforcement Thursday after barricading himself.

The 43-year-old man identified as Steven Hoff according to the Los Angeles Times, had a record of burglary and weapons possession.

ABC7 reported that he was captured about five hours after the initial confrontation.

His condition was not known, however he was shot by the parole agent when the initial shooting happened, Sheriff's Lt. Marjory Jacobs of the Crescenta Valley Station told Patch. 

According to a press release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Sheriff's K-9 unit located the suspect in a swimming pool and bit the man as he was taken into custody.

The shooting near Foothill Boulevard and Brainerd Avenue occurred about 1:20 p.m. Thursday and prompted the closure of the Foothill (210) Freeway.

The wounded officer is believed to be a parole agent with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

A parole task force apparently showed up to search Hoff's living quarters, and he opened fire, according to reports from the scene.     

Los Angeles police Lt. Andy Neiman said the parole officer was shot in the face in front or inside the residence and taken to a hospital "where he is in serious but stable condition," Neiman said.

Scores of police sealed off the area, and California Highway Patrol officers closed the Foothill (210) Freeway between its junction with the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway to the Sunland area, creating a huge traffic jam.

Two schools in the area, Brainerd Elementary School, a public school, and the private Delphi Academy were  locked down, meaning students were kept in their classrooms.

Neiman called the suspect a two-striker, meaning he has two felony convictions and could be sent to prison for life if convicted of a third. Neiman did not know what Hoff did to violate his parole.

"He has committed a lot of violent crimes," the lieutenant said.

The wounded law enforcement officer was standing when paramedics reached him.

Foothill Boulevard also was closed to accommodate the investigation.

Authorities are working to re-open the Foothill Freeway as quickly as possible.