Lauderdale County man killed in standoff with AL, TN authorities identified

by: Logan Sparkman, Taylor Mitchell

Posted: Apr 3, 2023 / 08:33 AM CDT

Updated: Apr 3, 2023 / 05:39 PM CDT

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) has identified a man shot in a standoff with agencies from Alabama and Tennessee.

TBI has identified the man as Zachary Hoffman, 28, of Lauderdale County. Hoffman was fatally shot after a chase that began in Florence and ended in a standoff in Tennessee.

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says that a vehicle pursuit was initiated in Florence around 3:00 a.m., and during the pursuit, the driver of the vehicle fired shots at a deputy.

The car stopped on Hwy 69 (AL Hwy 20) in Walnut Grove, Tennessee after hitting spike strips, according to LCSO. The Florence Police Department and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office are assisting LCSO in the standoff.

One person was holding two adult hostages at gunpoint, and one hostage was released after a ‘few hours’ of negotiation. Lauderdale County Sheriff Joe Hamilton said officers later fired at the offender, now identified as Hoffman. He died from his injuries. Neither the hostages nor the officers were injured.

The TBI is conducting an investigation into the incident.