Update: Bond was set at $1 million surety plus $25,000 cash only for the Lawrenceburg man charged with attempted murder after a six-hour standoff with police last week, said officials.

In addition to attempted murder, a Class A Felony, William C. Hoffman Jr., 31, of 121 E. Williams St., Lawrenceburg, was charged with attempted aggravated battery, a Class B felony; attempted battery with a deadly weapon and intimidation with a deadly weapon, both Class C felonies; and pointing a firearm and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, both Class D felonies, according to court records.

Hoffman appeared before Dearborn Circuit Court Judge James D. Humphrey Tuesday afternoon, June 12, at an initial hearing where he pleaded not guilty. Humphrey set a pretrial hearing for 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 27, according to a Dearborn County Prosecutor's office spokesperson. Hoffman remained jailed at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center, Lawrenceburg, as of Wednesday, June 13.

The standoff Thursday night, June 7, escalated from a domestic disturbance between Hoffman and his wife at 8:43 p.m., when Lawrenceburg Police responded to 121 E. William St., according to a statement released by Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Noel Houze ISP. Arriving officers encountered what they called an “uncooperative male,” later identified as Hoffman.

At some point in the confrontation, Hoffman tried to touch Lawrenceburg Police Sgt. Ken Losekamp and officers Dan Rosengarn, Daniel Craig and Jacob Jump “in a rude, insolent and/or angry manner,” leading to the attempted aggravated battery charge, wrote ISP Detective Vance Patton in the information for the charges.

Hoffman also threatened to shoot any officer trying to enter his residence, and fired shots at the four officers; hence the attempted battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder charges, said the information.

ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Rob Ewing found two bullets in the ground near where Lawrenceburg officers were positioned, as well as a revolver. A semi-automatic pistol and numerous bullet casings in the house, said Patton in the affidavit for probable cause.

Hoffman had begun firing at officers from the second floor just after 11 p.m., following over two hours of negotiations. Nearby streets were blocked to traffic and residents within about a two-block area evacuated.

The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team was called to the scene, making entry into the house at about 3 a.m. and taking Hoffman into custody without further incident, said the release. He “had to be Tased multiple times to gain his compliance,” however, wrote Patton.

Hoffman suffered a gunshot wound to the back of one of his shoulders during the exchange of gunfire with police. No one else was injured. But a loaded .22 semi-automatic pistol was found in Hoffman's front pants pocket as he was been taken to the hospital, wrote Patton.

Update:

Additional charges including attempted murder have been filed against the alleged subject of a shootout with police Thursday night, June 7, said Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Noel Houze.

William C. Hoffman Jr., 31, of 121 E. Williams St., Lawrenceburg, faces charges of attempted murder, a Class A Felony, attempted aggravated battery, a Class B felony; attempted battery with a deadly weapon and intimidation with a deadly weapon, both Class C felonies; and pointing a firearm and the initial charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, both Class D felonies.

Hoffman will appear in Dearborn Circuit Court at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, said Houze.

Current summary: 

The alleged subject of a shootout with police Thursday night, June 7, was back in Dearborn County but had not yet had an initial hearing as of noon Monday, June 11, according to officials.

William C. Hoffman Jr., 31, of 121 E. Williams St., Lawrenceburg, will face a Class D Felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon in Dearborn Circuit Court, according to the affidavit for probable cause filed by Indiana State Police Det. Vance Patton. The charge itself had not yet been filed as of noon Monday, said a Dearborn County Prosecutor's spokesperson.

The standoff escalated from a domestic disturbance at 8:43 p.m. Thursday, when Lawrenceburg Police responded to 121 E. William St., according to a statement released by ISP. Arriving officers encountered what they called an “uncooperative male,” later identified as Hoffman.

Police initially contacted Hoffman outside the house, then he went back inside, said the release. Hoffman then came back outside and confronted officers with a firearm. No shots were fired at that point and Hoffman again retreated back inside.

Officers negotiated with Hoffman, encouraging him to give himself up, said the release. Just after 11 p.m., however, he began firing at officers, who returned fire.

“I heard at least five shots in the house and probably 50 rounds outside the window fired at the cops,” said Register Publications advertising representative Shelley King, who was downtown after attending Music on the River. She heard officers yelling “J.R.,” and neighbors told her the shooter was known as J.R. Hoffman.

Neighbor Gayla Jenkins, 223 Elm St., said she also heard shots.

“I heard a big gun at first, then 'pat pat pat pat.' I thought it was fireworks at first,” she said. The situation had been going on two or three hours as of 11:30 p.m., she said.

Shortly after, neighbors within about a two-block area were asked to evacuate, said Register Publications graphics technician Lydia Morath, 231 Elm St., Lawrenceburg. Meanwhile, Walnut Street and areas around Williams and Elm street were blocked to traffic.

The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team was called to the scene, making entry into the house at about 3 a.m. and taking Hoffman into custody without further incident, said the release. Hoffman, who suffered a gunshot wound to the back of one of his shoulders during the exchange of gunfire with police, was taken to Dearborn County Hospital, Lawrenceburg, then transferred to University Hospital, Cincinnati.

No officers or other persons were injured in the exchange of gunfire, said Houze.

After Hoffman was treated and released, he was incarcerated at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Cincinnati, at about 8 a.m. Friday, June 8, said Steve Barnett, director of community and media relations, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

"Since he had to be transported to Ohio for treatment, once released from the hospital he cannot just be brought back across state lines to Indiana,” said Houze.

Apparently Hoffman waived extradition, as he was released to Dearborn County authorities at 3:30 p.m. Friday, said Barnett.

Other agencies involved in the standoff in Lawrenceburg include Indiana State Excise Police; Greendale Aurora and Dillsboro police departments; Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department; Lawrenceburg Fire and EMS; Aurora Fire Department; Greendale EMS; and theDearborn/Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office.

Update: William C. Hoffman Jr. was treated and released from University Hospital, Cincinnati, for the gunshot wound he received during the exchange of gunfire with police, according to a news release late Friday morning, June 8, from Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Noel Houze.

"Since he had to be transported to Ohio for treatment, once released from the hospital he cannot just be brought back across state lines to Indiana. He is currently being held in the Hamilton County Justice Center in Cincinnati," said Houze. Hoffman will remain there until he waives extradition back to Indiana or extradition proceedings force him back to Indiana.

UPDATE: The following statement was released by the Indiana State Police.

 Last night at approximately 8:43 p.m. Lawrenceburg Police responded to 121 E. William St. to investigate a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival officers encountered what they described as an “uncooperative male” later identified as 31-year-old William C. Hoffman Jr.  

After initial contact with Hoffman outside the home, he went back insid

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Officers negotiated with Hoffman encouraging him to give up however just after 11 p.m. he began firing at officers who returned fire.  The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team  was called to the scene and at approximately 3 a.m. ERT members made entry into the house where they took Hoffman into custody without further incident.

During the exchange of gunfire, Hoffman suffered a gunshot wound to the back of one of his shoulders.  He was transported to Dearborn County Hospital and later transferred to University Hospital in Cincinnati for further treatment.  The wound is said to be non-life threatening. 

No officers or other persons were injured in the exchange of gunfire.  Hoffman is facing a preliminary charge of Criminal Recklessness, a Class D Felony. Other charges could be filed later.

Agencies involved in the incident in addition to Lawrenceburg Police and Indiana State Police include:

Indiana State Excise Police
Greendale Police Department
Aurora Police Department
Dillsboro Police Department
Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department
Lawrenceburg Fire and EMS
Aurora Fire Department
Greendale EMS
Dearborn/Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office

Original story:

Shots were fired both inside and from a white house at East Williams and Elm streets, late Thursday night, June 7, when a domestic dispute turned into a hostage situation in downtown Lawrenceburg.

Neighbors said the shooter was J.R. Hoffman, who was in the house with his wife and three children, said Shelley King, who was downtown after attending Music on the River. She heard officers yelling J.R., she added.

“I heard at least five shots in the house and probably 50 rounds outside the window fired at the cops,” said King.

Neighbor Gayla Jenkins, 223 Elm St., said she also heard shots.

“I heard a big gun at first, then pat pat pat pat. I thought it was fireworks at first,” she said. The situation had been going on two or three hours as of 11:30 p.m., she said.

The Indiana State Police emergency response team was suiting up in protective gear at midnight at East Willliams and Elm streets, where residents of a several blocks surrounding the East Williams Street house were being evacuated, according to Lydia Morath, 231 Elm St., Lawrenceburg.

At about 1 a.m., a source within Lawrenceburg Police Department said there were no fatalities at this time.

Shortly after 3 AM an ambulance was spotted leaving the residence and authorities re-opened the street. We will continue to update this story as further details become available.