LAKELAND, Fla. — A man is facing charges after Lakeland police attempted to stop him twice before he rammed into officers' vehicles, leading to one officer firing their weapon at him.
Authorities say at around 12:41 p.m. Monday, officers approached a white Lincoln sedan on Lakehurst Street where the driver inside appeared incapacitated behind the wheel, with the vehicle stopped at a stop sign while it was still running.
After police began trying to talk with the driver, identified as 57-year-old John Alfred Hofmann of Webster, he reportedly woke up and hit a nearby citizen's vehicle after fleeing the scene. Police did not pursue the Hofmann at the time.
LPD later spotted Hofmann shortly afterward at a gas station off of U.S. Highway 98 North where they once again tried to stop him, according to a news release. He drove away again, and officers still did not pursue him.
At 1:18 p.m., Hofmann's vehicle was reportedly found in the parking lot of Village Plaza, located off U.S. Highway 98 near Sleepy Hill Road.
Police say he climbed from the back seat of his vehicle to the front as officers began approaching him. That's when investigators say Hofmann rammed two police vehicles as he began to drive away again.
One officer began firing his weapon several times during the incident, officials say.
Police began pursuing him onto U.S. Highway 98 into Wedgewood Estates Boulevard where he crashed near Douglas M. Cook Park, a news release says.
One officer was treated for minor injuries and was released from Lakeland Regional Health.
Hofmann was taken into custody and transported to Lakeland Regional Health for an evaluation. He reportedly had no obvious injuries and was taken to the Polk County Jail to be processed.
LPD says Hofmann will face charges for this incident but did not specify which ones. Officials also said he previously had warrants from Sumter and Volusia County, including fleeing to elude and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Hofmann’s criminal history includes over 30 criminal charges and 10 felony convictions.