Ronald Hoffman
Murderer
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15 victims
- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Date of birth
- 1943
- Characteristics
- —
- Victim profile
- Emmanuel Dahl, 90 / Sophie Schwartz, 65
- Method of murder
- Shooting (.357 magnum revolver)
- Date(s) of murder
- November /December1978
- Years active
- —
- Date of arrest
- December 23, 1978
- Status
-
Unknown
Background
The month preceding Christmas 1978 brought sudden terror to Chicago's quiet northwest side.
Beginning in November, residents were haunted by a gunman dubbed the "Sunshine Sniper" for his daylight raids. The gunman claimed victims seemingly at random and showed no respect for sex or age. Ronald Hoffman was detained for trial after being arrested carrying a .357 magnum revolver and 40 spare rounds of ammunition.
The offence
The first death described was 90-year-old Emmanuel Dahl, who was gunned down without motive in his vitamin shop on November 11. Detectives found no evidence of robbery, and friends recalled no prior threats of any kind against Emmanuel Dahl.
Four weeks later, 65-year-old Sophie Schwartz was crossing Sunnyside Street at Wells Park when she collapsed on the pavement, crying out in pain. Sophie Schwartz died an hour later at emergency receiving. Doctors located a bullet wound in her back moments after her death. Again, there was no evidence of robbery, and no history of harassment or threats was described.
On December 18, 35-year-old Diamond Menodinez was approaching his office on foot when a bullet slammed into his arm. Diamond Menodinez survived, but police described the gunman firing from ambush.
Investigation
Detectives found no evidence of robbery in relation to Emmanuel Dahl’s killing and reported no prior threats recalled by friends.
For Sophie Schwartz, again no evidence of robbery was found, and no history of harassment or threats was described.
Ballistics testing connected Ronald Hoffman’s weapon with the random shootings.
Arrest
Ronald Hoffman was arrested on December 23. At the time of arrest, Hoffman was carrying a .357 magnum revolver and 40 spare rounds of ammunition. Two patrolmen slapped the cuffs on Hoffman, and they earned themselves immediate promotion to the rank of inspector.
Trial
Ronald Hoffman was detained for trial. He was unable—or unwilling—to provide a motive for the crimes.
Other details
Ronald Hoffman was described as unable—or unwilling—to provide a motive for the crimes. Michael Newton and a home last updates contact label appeared as part of the scraped text, but no further case facts were provided beyond the arrest, ballistic connection, and detention for trial.
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