Sheriff: Slain Doctor Knew Man Suspected of Killing Him

Dr. Stephen Larson knew the man suspected of killing him at his Orono home and is thought to have provided professional care to the suspect’s mother at one point, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek and Orono Deputy Chief Chris Fischer confirmed at a press conference Monday afternoon.

Larson, 74, died from multiple gunshot wounds at 8:55 p.m. Friday at his home on the 1000 block of Heritage Lane.

Orono police went to Larson’s home shortly before 9 p.m. in response to an unknown trouble call. After they arrived, officers encountered a man later identified as 30-year-old Ted Hoffstrom in the front yard. Hoffstrom had a handgun and “subsequently shots were fired,” according to a Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office release. Officers then entered the home and found Larson, who had been shot before police arrived.

Investigators have not said whether Hoffstrom fired at police.

The investigation has determined that the gun Hoffstrom had was the same one used to kill Larson, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“In the interest of public safety, we want you to know this was not a random act.  Mr. Hoffstrom is the one and only suspect in the death of Dr. Larson,” Stanek said. “Orono is a safe community and there is no threat to the public.”

The sheriff said it’s clear what happened but not why it happened.

Larson was an OB/GYN who founded OBGYN Specialists, which has locations in Burnsville and Edina, in 1980, according to his bio. Stanek said Larson had provided professional care to Hoffstrom’s mother and had recently “expressed hostility” to family members about him.

Meanwhile, Fischer identified the Orono police officers involved in the incident as:

• Chief of Police Correy Farniok
• Officer Brad Schoenherr
• Officer Paul Hooper
• Officer Josh Needham

All of the officers are on paid administrative leave in keeping with Orono Police Department Policy.