Hoffman Is Critical After Shooting On Santee Reservation

David Hoffman of Santee is in critical condition tonight after an alleged self-inflicted gun shot wound.

The FBI Office in Omaha confirmed to the Knox County News that the subject is at a local hospital after allegedly shooting himself at the Santee Reservation. According to officials, the shooting occurred after federal and tribal officials were attempting to take him into custody.

"The subject, who was armed at the time, refused to surrender peacefully and allegedly shot himself. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and no law enforcement personnel were injured during the confrontation," according to the FBI.

The Knox County News has confirmed the subject as David Hoffman, 25, of Santee.
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According to the Knox County Sheriff's Department, at 1 p.m. Tuesday, they received a phone call that a Niobrara officer was assaulted in the low income housing units while attempting to arrest David Hoffman, 25 of Santee, on a Knox County arrest warrant.

Hoffman was able to disarm the Niobrara Officer and pointed the handgun at him before keeping the gun and running out of the village on foot and into the river bottom along the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers. No shots were fired.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and set up a perimeter. Officers from the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Police, also responded. Niobrara Fire and Rescue were put on standby. The Nebraska State Patrol Air Wing, Canine, and SWAT team were used to search and clear the area. 

The Niobrara schools as well as several businesses were put in lock down during the search and some vehicles were searched on the edge of Niobrara.

The Sheriff’s Office evacuated employees from the Niobrara State Park. Three employee residences, fifteen cabins, and numerous outbuildings were searched. The search continued until approximately 10 p.m. at which time it was concluded that Hoffman had left the area.

According to Knox County Court records, Hoffman was wanted for felony burglary and theft by receiving stolen property after Niobrara police said he burglarized Terry's Hair Salon in Niobrara on December 19 and made off with $750 in cash and merchandise. 

According to investigative reports from several law enforcement agencies, police believe that Hoffman sold some black gold jewelry to a local woman whose mother knew that the merchandise had been stolen from the the Hair Salon.