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Separated couple seriously injured in Vienna gunfire
By Ed Runyan
VIENNA
A couple who were granted legal separation in November reportedly exchanged gunfire Wednesday inside their 4499 Warren-Sharon Road home, critically injuring both.
Andy Pecchio, Vienna police chief, said Brooke M. Hoffman, 38, suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head, and Craig F. Hoffman, 33, suffered two gunshot wounds to the body. Both were in serious condition Wednesday afternoon in St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Police said Brooke Hoffman pulled into the driveway of their home at high speed about 11:52 a.m. and fired a shot into the outside of the home.
She drove through the backyard and to the driveway on the other side of the house before hitting a motorcycle in the driveway, Pecchio said.
The collision blew out a tire on her car.
She got out and proceeded into the first-floor, rear apartment of the five-plex house, Pecchio said.
The confrontation that ensued “ended in gunfire,” Pecchio said, adding that the information he had so far was that the two had shot each other.
Neighbors said they heard gunfire but didn’t see anything.
Three of the five apartments in the building have been occupied in recent months, they said.
Trumbull County court records say Brooke Hoffman filed for divorce against Craig Hoffman in October 2010, and separation was granted in November 2011 “on grounds of incompatibility.”
Divorce records listed Brooke Hoffman as living on Venice Drive in Howland.
Brooke Hoffman was indicted on a felony vandalism charge out of Howland Township in 2008 but was allowed to seek treatment for substance abuse in lieu of conviction. She completed the program in June 2010, so her vandalism charge was dismissed.