MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County woman was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday afternoon following a shooting over two years ago, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
In a release, the SAO explained that in November 2020, the woman — identified as Jennifer Hill, 44 — met a man who appeared to be armed, leading her to fatally shoot him in the head.
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Deputies said it was a case of “mistaken identity,” as Hill believed the man — Michael Hofacker, 39 — was someone she thought had stolen from her. However, she quickly realized that he was not the same person.
Hill’s friend, who witnessed the shooting, later told investigators that Hofacker hadn’t posed a threat and was unarmed at the time, the release shows.
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The friend added that Hofacker had introduced himself as “Mikey,” causing Hill to mistake him for another man named “Michael Beach,” an affidavit states.
Investigators learned Hill’s home had been broken into earlier that month, with many of her belongings being stolen, deputies said.
According to the affidavit, Beach was considered a possible culprit in the theft, and he had reportedly pulled a gun on Hill during a previous encounter.
“This incident underscores why people should not take matters into their own hands and trust law enforcement,” Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney William Gladson said. “As the legal process continues, our hearts go out to the family affected by this deeply regrettable incident.”
Hill’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2024 at 9 a.m.
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