MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has released new information in the deaths of two men at an Orono home.
Dr. Stephen Larson died of multiple gunshot wounds inside his home Friday night. When police arrived, officers found 30-year-old Ted Hoffstrom outside holding a gun. An Orono police officer then shot and killed Hoffstrom.
Hoffstrom lived with his parents in St. Anthony.
The Hoffstrom family posted this letter outside their home Sunday night:
(credit: family via Pioneer Press)
“It is with great sadness that we extend our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the family of Dr. Stephen Larson. Our hearts are broken for all of those affected by this tragic event. We are shocked and saddened by this news and many questions remain unanswered. We hope that the public will understand that this is a very difficult time for our family. We are grieving the loss of our son, and ask that you please respect our privacy at this time.”
Now, Larson is being remembered by his patients, after being shot to death inside his home Friday night in Orono.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, police were called to the home on the 1000 block of Heritage Road just before 9 p.m., where they found a man in the front of the property with a handgun.
Authorities said shots were exchanged and the man was killed by police. That man was later identified as 30-year-old Ted Hoffstrom of St. Anthony.
Larson was an OBGYN at Fairview Health Services and has delivered thousands of babies in his career and was still working full-time. His colleagues say he was a kind and compassionate man.
Roshini Rajkumar is a WCCO Radio host, and also a patient of Dr. Larson’s.
She said the last time she saw him was in May, and she had gained eight pounds. She said she had just run a marathon a few months prior and was running less, and having more “happy hours.”
She remembered his response.
“He says instead of thinking about eight pounds that you want to get rid of, think about it like it’s eight pounds of fun,” Rajkumar said.
She said it was a good example of his good bedside manner and his sense of humor. Rajkumar said he will be missed by many.
Another one of his patients, Karen McColl, says she wouldn’t be here and neither would her youngest daughter, if it weren’t for Larson.
“He saved my life and Kristina’s, and he’s delivered one of my grandchildren,” McColl said. “What a wonderful guy. I just can’t believe it.”
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will release more information Monday afternoon.
