Armed fugitive arrested in elementary school
update

Armed fugitive arrested in elementary school


COURTESY MAINE STATE POLICE
Randall Hoffland

STOCKTON SPRINGS — An armed fugitive who sparked a manhunt that began Oct. 23 was arrested at the elementary school here Friday morning after holding 11 children hostage in a classroom, police said.

Randall Hofland, 55, of Stockton Springs was spotted inside the school by a teacher who notified authorities. Children were evacuated by bus to the Searsport Elementary school about 5 miles away. No one was injured.

Hofland was tackled outside a fifth grade classroom by a State Trooper, who was one of the first police officers to arrive at the school, according to Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland.

Hofland had been armed with a handgun and was holding 11 students hostage inside that classroom. He had released all of the students and had given the gun to one of them before he was taken into custody, McCausland said.

State Police received the first call about 8:42 a.m. and Hofland was placed under arrest at 9:08 and transported to Waldo County Jail in Belfast.

Last week Hofland allegedly pointed a gun at a Searsport police officer Thursday night during a seat belt enforcement roadblock on Route 1. He then drove through the roadblock to his home a short distance away. By the time his car was surrounded, Hofland had fled into the woods

On Friday, Oct. 24, a 2-mile section of Route 1 between Searsport and Stockton Springs was shut down along with a local school district, but the road was reopened by Friday afternoon, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

More than three dozen police officers, including the Maine State Police Tactical Team, have been searching for Hofland.

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74 comments on this item

Huh guess I was wrong, guy really was nuts, although if he really took children hostage wouldn't this have made national news + been more of a dramatic article?

I guess no matter what the article was it would not have made you happy, right Maine62? The fact is, if this man thought that he was in trouble before, he is in for so big time trouble. Lets not forget those poor kids who will never forget that their school is no longer a safe place for them........

oh my God !!! I am glad that the guy in jail now.

No I am glad they got the guy, I honestly didn't think the guy actually had a gun. Sounded to me like a drunk driver who just skipped a road block, and then something was mistaken for a gun. I am very happy they caught they guy, and very sad that these innocent kids had to experience something so terrifying. I just don't understand how the BDN decides what to post. I mean I've seen article about ducks cross the road causing a traffic jam that were longer and more detailed.

Ohhh I missed it, this is breaking news happening right now. I was under the impression this happened yesterday. I'm real glad they caught this guy, I was just surprised that it wasn't a real detailed article. But now I see that this just happened.

I take it this was his way of turning himself in

Actually Maine62, this has definitely already made national news. I found it from an AP report and came to BDN to check the facts. I was shocked to see it had taken place so near to where I raised my children. I feel so badly that this has now come to Maine. I have always boasted that in Maine, we learned that guns were for hunting, not harming and scaring humans. I hope the kids get counseling as soon as possible.

Well, well, well! The guy surrendered to a bunch of 5th graders, yet a trooper still had to "Tackle" him! I would be some proud of this whole episode if I were the State Police. Perhaps it may have been better handled by Janet Reno! Honestly, I don't know what has happened to the State Police that I knew of growing up as a child. Most troopers were veterans of the military and were laid back in the sense that they could deal with tense issues with patience and solve those situation with the least amount of drama. I was raised to respect ME troopers, and did so for many years. It has been in the last 10 years or so that I have realized that for the most part, the new breed of troopers and especially game wardens have not inspired me to think of them with anywhere near the level of respect had for them as I did growing up.

Some people are just so sick in the head! This LOW LIFE is a danger to our society. I hope he gets locked away for a very,very long time. The attorney that has to represent him, is going to be hard pressed to defend him. I can find no understanding or an ounce of sympathy for people like this! Now, look what he did to the young lives of these children. What will they take from this experience? A life long struggle to feel safe. To trust again that school or home ,for that matter is a safe place to be. I am so pissed off at this whole situation! Why didn't the schools have armed guards after this incident? They closed the schools and barricaded the road. They must have felt in their gut that this guy was a threat.

I am sick that my grandchildren are faced with the fact that they are no longer safe in our society. Until laws keep this type of person off our streets , none of us are safe. I can only imagine the rage that these children's family feel. Every single parent in that school district should make it a point to have their children write victim impact statements. Empower them to face this man and tell him how they feel and what he has done to their young lives.

God Bless each and every one of you. Know that their are still good people in this world that will protect and validate their feelings.

mainbad, did you get that this was in a classroom, a school with innocent children being scared out of their minds?? Do you think the state trooper was gonna casually saunter to him and wait and see if he had other weapons ? How ridiculous to pin negativity on the troopers for this....

This guy is disturbed. BGN please stay on this story to make sure that he gets the help and supervision that he needs. This is serious business - we need follow-up stories to make sure that the system is doing it's job.

Maine62...You're an idiot. Were you there at the traffick stop? Im curious why you just automatically assumed the cops made a mistake in identifying a weapon that they are extensivly trained in? Think about it. I bet you are a registered democrat and will be voting for Obama.

To RevGerald; RuthBennett; anonymousahole; RussHermon; Maurice_Fleckman; Cherry; movethen; Amanda; Knightscros; mariahstorm; Maine62; gossip_girl; grayson21 ; jimdingo; PaleShadows; reedomfighter;AND ALL YOU ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT FOOLS OUT THERE… GUESS YOU WERE WRONG HE WAS A THREAT AND 11 CHILDREN HAD TO PAY FOR THIS! I WISH IT WERE ALL OF YOU HE TOOK HOSTAGE RATHER THAN THESE SCHOOL CHILDREN! THEN YOU WOULD BE THANKING THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT UPHOLD THE LAWS WRITTEN TO PROTECT YOU! GET OFF YOUR HIGH (AND I MEAN IT IN THE DRUG SENSE) HORSES AND ACTUALLY ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG THIS TIME! THE PO-PO DID THEIR JOBS THAT NIGHT AND TODAY. I JUST HOPE THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE OK AND AM GLAD NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY HARMED (THAT WE ARE AWARE OF-WHO KNOWS WHAT THIS GUY HAS BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST WEEK). AND I ASSUME THIS ANSWERS THE QUESTION OF GUN OR NO GUN UNLESS YOU CONSPIRACY THEORY NUTS THINK IT WAS PLANTED BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN?

mainbad, HOW DO YOU KNOW BUT HE WAS THREATENING THE OFFICER. HE HAD 1 WEAPON AREN'T THEY REASONABLE TO ASSUME HE MAY HAVE ANOTHER? Ask youself this.... if the Trooper had allowed him to just walk to him, he could have had another gun or a knife etc and hurt a bystander or the Trooper. The man had alaready presented himself as a threat and needed to be treated like such!

The only Help he needs and deserves is to ensure he doesn't trip on the steps of the Gallows.

omg give maine62 a break, maybe he or she misunderstood the whole thing. The good news is the idiot is caught and yes to the one who said state troopers tacked the guy. Give them a break too ok. God, just be happy the kids are alive. Im glad my kid goes to bangor

You guys need to sign up for anger management. I did, it works. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The guy in the photo looks like he could use a wooden shampoo!!!!!!!

I have heard lots of people bitch and complain how the cops handle themselves, in a VERY stressful situation, and they are trained to take the bad guy down. They do it aggressivly cuz, you dont know how the bad guy thinks..what if he had another gun? The officer absolutely did the right thing. When cops come in yelling and ordering, they do that to mess with the mind of the perp..so he cant think and re act. I say GREAT JOB!!! From the teacher to the officer who took him down..thank God they are ok, and hopefully those children will be ok, and I think if any of our children had been in the situation, you would have wanted the police to do what they had to..not many of us think the way that guy was thinking..just happy its over..Have a happy and safe Halloween :)

amd mainebad..these are not the old days anymore..so far gone..so long ago

I don't have any statements to make for Mainbad except one question. Are you hiding anything during the last 10 years that you don't want the police to know about?

Targetted a school huh?

What a low life!

Scary to think that he was able to wander around the school!

Although..he did have a gun..and they probably wouldnt have been able to stop him at the door..

A teacher noticed him..how long was he there?

What was his point? It doesnt matter..hes sick..its sad that he wasnt noticed sooner..!!

I feel so sorry for these kids that will FOREVER remember that they were held hostage!

I hope they take this seriously and put this idiot away for a LONG LONG time....

A routine traffic stop sent this all off..Id like to know what kind of skeletons he has in his closet!

I THINK THE MAN LOOKS LIKE TONY SOPRANO! LOL

Does anyone know where the anonymousahole is? I think his dad just got busted. What a piece of crap this guy must be. To show a gun to a cop and then take some kids hostage! I am shocked. I hope he doesn’t get off on a crazy case of “I was scared”, “I have post war syndrome” or any of that crap. But I am sure our system will have a loop hole for a looser like this guy.

Thank-God for the police !!!!!!!!!! Putting their lives on the line to protect and then having to listen to or read about the ignorant comments from the previous posts. I'm sure they (posts) all have records......whaaaaaaaaa ....I didn't do it officer...really....duh, give us normal folks a break .

So much for all of you arm chair law officials blasting the local and state police for making a "big deal" out of the initial pointing of the gun at the officer...mainbad, what an idiot you are....my philosopy is to shoot first and tackle second....

Omg again, he is in custody. Give the people that worded the things wrong a break. U should be happy that your kids we rent in the bulidng. But dont worry as stupid as maine was Governor Baldacci will make sure that the schoosl are safe after they have there meeting. We should have never ever VOTED a BALDACCI in office. They are all liars

What I'm wondering is why this school wasn't put on lock down or cops at the doors, when they knew there was a fugitive in the area? Of course, they had no way of knowing if he still was in that immediate area but you would think it would have made sense to be cautious until the man was caught. For that matter, in my opinion all of our schools should be locked down period. At any given point in time, at least at schools in my area you can walk right in at any point during the day. In this day in age this shouldn't be happening. Gosh, I keep my doors locked at home 24/7, to many nut cases out there for my taste. Our schools should be safe for our children no matter what it takes; lock downs, armed guards, metal detectors.. I know there will be those that will scream it violates our childrens privacy and our rights to get into the schools freely but hell if any of these measures will protect my child while he's in school then so be it... to be incovenienced for a few minutes as a safety precaution is worth it to me. There has already been an incident in my sons school with a child bringing a gun to school and that terrified alot of parents..schools went on lock down for a bit and then it was back to the same ole same ole.. all doors locked but one... well all it takes is one unlocked door to let a whack job in and yes this was in small town, Maine a few years back. This stuff is happening here, not a frequently as in other places but it's happening. I'll be glad when the schools wake up and take more precautions and hopefully it doesn't take kids getting murdered to do it.

My thoughts and prayers go out the the families of the 11 children!! Thank god these young people weren't hurt physically, their mental scars will be bad enough as it is.

Maybe he wanted to see a teacher about how to apply for a substitute position and forgot to leave his gun in his car

omg matt, yep that is exactly what they wanted, a guy that carrys a gun, you real smart dude

It's a no-brainer-----armed? -----children involved? ----if found 'guilty' he should be terminated. The time was compassion is over. This person has no place in our society, and taxpayers should not carry the burden of providing for him.

you tell them rocklandphil. The only problem is that maine dont have death penalty so us taxpayers will be paying for his meals in prison at about 4.00 a day.

SandyL... It is in a neighboring town from where the original incident took place last week.

Thank God for the quick thinking on the teacher who went and called 911. The teacher remained calm and made sure the 11 children were their top priority. I also thank God that all the children that were held hostage are all safe and unharmed. If it wasn't for the quick thinking of this teacher, who knows how this would have played out, but because of this wonderful brave teacher, the childern are all safe and no one was hurt. God bless this teacher for calling 911 and saving the lives of these precious 11 children. :)

What an A-Hole!

What a scumbag. Somebody make sure he is locked up and the key gets lost, no excuse whatsoever this man should see daylight again.

Bangorian: "This guy is disturbed. BGN please stay on this story to make sure that he gets the help and supervision that he needs."

You have got to be kidding me. The kids need help, he needs to be locked away. This reminds me of an old political joke: Two conservatives are walking down a road and see a man who has been beaten and robbed. One exclaims to the other "We need to find the man who did this. He needs to be punished" Two liberals run across the same man and one says to the other "We need to find the man who did this. He needs help".

Sure illustrates the differences that are tearing this country apart. We have become a society of victims who no longer feel we need to be responsible for or bear the consequences of anything we do. Sad.

saltair You crack me up... Great comment ... how true!

All I have to say is that if they had not "given up the search" last Friday then maybe the kids would not have gone through what they did today. I work in Searsport and was able to go to work until after 11am last Friday when we were told it was safe since they had caught the guy. Once we arrived at work we later found out about an hour after the fact that he had not been caught. All the police had packed up by 3pm and had left Searsport, when I left work at 4pm I did not see one cop on 1A looking for this guy. It was a very big mistake for the Authorities to assume that they guy had left Searsport/Stockton Springs when they had no evidence.

I am glad that the kids did not get hurt and I feel very sad for them since they have to be afraid when they go to school and wonder if this will ever happen again.

This poor man was probably confused, scared, and hungry after hiding out for a week. He didn't hurt anyone so why is everyone so infuriated? You all probably would have been happier if he had hurt someone so you would have that much more to bitch about. Get a life.

markko, you and I agree on something ----- positively scary -------heheheheheheh

Some of you need my name IDIOT, with your responses. I could see it if someone was hurt. But no he could of shot everyone of those kids if he wanted. HE was reaching out for help. A bad way to do it but its obvious.

HEre you all say to kill him lock him up and throw away the key. THink of his family, what if it was someone in your famil who had proiblems and did something would you like it if a bunch of MORONS got on here and wrote about your family member?? Think about it. Half of you are probably welfare idiots who do nothing but sit on your ass collect a check and bith that the world is against you. GET A LIFE

DowneastIdiot... And if the police didn't act like they did and someone had gotten hurt you and the rest of the Anti-establishment nuts would be ranting SUE the cops, Sue the school, Sue everyone because the job didn't get don't right! There is no pleasing people like you! I hope when/if you need a cop, that he is too busy doing something more important to help you!!!!!

Downeastidiot, i completely agree with you.

very funny anoymoushole, by the way great name. Your a total arse hole. Probably related to Randall yourself Jerk

Downeast Idiot.......what the heck.....you are a stinking idiot! What would it matter if we do get welfare help.....HELLO HE TOOK KIDS HOSTAGE!!!!!!!! I have not one care if he was reaching out for help.....he is an ass and He has terrized these kids for life......He could gotten "help" as you seem to think he was looking for, last week when he pulled a gun on a tropper........You are such a jerk

Nicole: My comments had nothing to do with minmizing the fact that he placed children in jeopardy. I am sorry you misunderstood. As a former Recon Marine and Police officer myself, I find the time to have taken him down was immediately after his first trangression, not many days later. "Tackling" someone who may have an explosive device is not the smartest thing to do. I would want to know what his hands are doing...

momto3boys, Your spelling is atrocious. Hope you're not home-schooling those 3 boys. There's enough illiterates in this world.

Wel well we have two new commenters, ones' an %^@*& and the other is an idiot. welcome to the blog.

eastman, speaking of idiots, incase you didn't know this is not a blog. It is a comment section. A blog is a journal made available on the internet /web by an individual. This is a comment sectioned maintained by the BDN.

omg kids come on stop it, stop arguing. Act like adults, if your not one, then quit posting please, its annoying

Tikitorch.. I realize that it was a neighboring town, why I stated "in the area".

To the others: for those commenting about their concernfor this man and his family.. I feel for his family but this guy regardless of the circumstances in my opinion should not be cut slack.. he should pay the consequences fully for his actions. He involved young children in his mess and that is unacceptable.. saltair hit it on the head.. to many whine a**es out there that cant accept that their actions have consequences..its time people started getting what they deserve and to hell with the slap on the hand. Our concern & resources need to be focused on the victims and THEIR NEEDS & RIGHTS..this guy gave up his needs and rights when he walked into that school and involved innocent children & adults. He made bad choices and needs to live with it.. we may find if the system would start coming down on people harder it may deter others from making the same stupid mistakes... the bleeding hearts that want to "FIX" the disturbed people and figure out why they did the crime.. to hell with em... I'm tired of my tax dollars supporting their asses in jail. this world has gotten to damn soft.. makes me want to scream sometimes.

well written sandyl, i agree with ya

Oh my, well my bad, I had no idea that this comment section was just for a chosen few......What was I thinking.....and as far as this entire situation goes....the man is sick and he should pay for what he has done. I feel awful for his family and what they are going to have to face now that this has happened. My concern is more towards those children. Hey, has my spelling improved? jerk

This situation if anything stresses upon the importance for citizens to go to your local police dept. and get your concealed carry permit. Once you get the permit, get a gun. We are all responsible to help each other. You can rank on the officers as much as you want, but they cover a really large area with minimal personnel. They should have not only tackled, but proceeded to kick the snot out of this dumb dumb man. I stood up for him when he was against a power stricken lady officer, but now stand corrected. He pulled children into it. and that's just wrong. I hope his cell mate violates him in as many ways as possible. Enjoy your stay.

momto3boys This comment section is for Anyone who wants to use it and don't let anyone try to tell you different!! As far as anonymousahole and his bitch about the spelling, that was an ignorant thing to say. There's a lot worse on here. You have to work hard to figure some of it out. All people are not good spellers. But it dosen't take much sometimes to make people feel Better! Ignore it and comment your little heart right out!

momto3boys, if you are going to ask how your punctuation is, you may want to check your punctuatiion as well.

Not that I'm anal that way, but you got cocky about it. So I'm just saying......

jake04743 You need to hang out with anonymousahole. You sound like two of a kind! Give this woman a break for God's sake. Not been a good day?

Easy Louise. She openned the door. I'm an easy fellow to get along with, but I call things as I see them.

So do I ,Jake. And you spelled opened wrong! I wonder what the mouse will have to say about that? And I'm usually pretty easy to get along with too. Some things just don't set right with me. And that's putting someone down because it makes you feel good!

I make misatakes to, intentional or otherwise. Call me on it, come to my house, have a beer. I LIVE, I LOVE, I WORK, I OWN GUNS...........AND...................I KNOW HOW TO USE THEM PROPERLY, RESPECTFULLY, LEGALLY, AND LETHALLY.

I never mentioned anything about the cops, but from what i read it looks like he gave up and the cop still tackeld him to the ground.

But anyay, i was talking about all the people here saying this guy deserves to die and all that junk. Would they like it if someone in their family had some trouble and we was on here saying it about them.

Actually, if you look at my post, I only asked about my spelling. Not punctuation.

Hmmm does jake an the anoymoushole live in the same place, obvisouly they do they are both arse holes. Momtothreeboys, great job on spelling. Who cares what they say. Oh hold on because they arse holes that is why

And the intelligent people resort to name calling. Kudos brainiac. (dkenzie77 I'm gonna guess not yet 30 and has experienced it all)

well jake obviously your not 30 or a young punk kid. As i have noticed alot of punk kids like you get accounts to post rude comments. And for a matter of fact arse hole im 37 years old. You have a problem with me then let me know, dont post rude comment arse hole

I don't have a problem with that, we're about the same age, and for the record you are the one being rude with the comments. I choose sarcasm not profanity. Don't know who you are don't care . So relax and love life. I apologize if my comments stress you out. I sincerely hope you have a nice weekend.

ty jake and my apologies to you. Please have a great weekend and again im sorry for offending you if i did. I just have noticed alot of kids have posted things on bdn to be rude. My apologies to you

Looks like someones spelling has improved. Good for you. Too bad this site didn't include spell check.

Jake04743, I agree with you. Don't let the haters bring you down.

and again here we go, it has nothing to do with spelling anonymousahole, get a life pal. you really need one, have a great weekend but i doubt you will your starting chit again

'Twas the night before elections

And all through the town

Tempers were flaring

Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe

With a cat in my lap

Had cut off the TV

Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden

There arose such a noise

I peered out of my window

Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet

They wanted my pay

To give to the others

Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money

And quick as a wink

Jumped back on his bandwagon

As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen

Who were pulling his cart

I could tell they were out

To tear my country apart!

' On Fannie, on Freddie,

On Biden and Ayers!

On Acorn, On Pelosi'

He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause

And as he flew out of sight

I heard him laugh at the nation

Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think

On this one final note-

IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

You said it SANDYL !!! Time to spend some of OUR tax dollars on our children's safety!

Re: anonymousahole. You make no sense at all. You are really scary. Have you thought about getting some help for your anger? There are good AND bad AND sick people out there. We can't let these things go on in our society. Our understanding and our sympathies for people such as this guy can only go so far. THE BUCK STOPS HERE for this guy. He made a choice and he has to pay the piper now.

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