Ex-Con Killed at Party Celebrating Release From Prison

MINOOKA, IL — An ex-convict was gunned down during a party celebrating his release from prison.

Nathan Hofkamp, 29, had gotten out of downstate Vienna Correctional Center just hours before he was shot to death Friday night at a house on Canal Road outside Minooka, police said.

“The victim had just been released from prison and was celebrating with family members inside the residence when a disturbance broke out,” the Will County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release. “Apparently someone inside the residence became upset and fired a shot striking the victim in the chest.”

Hofkamp was pronounced deceased in the emergency room of Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

The police said a “person of interest was also located at the scene (who) is cooperating with Will County Sheriff's detectives.”

No one has been charged yet in connection with Hofkamp’s death.

A second Hofkamp, 23-year-old Kevin Hofkamp, was booked into the Will County jail on traffic warrants and a warrant from Champaign County following the killing.

Kevin Hofkamp witnessed the shooting, according to police, who declined to say how he is related to Nathan Hofkamp.

Kevin Hofkamp remains in custody. His bond was set at $2,500.

Nathan Hofkamp served seven months in prison for theft and aggravated assault convictions out of Cook County. He also did prison time for burglary and theft convictions out of Kankakee County, and a possession of a controlled substance conviction from Will County.

After his release from prison Friday morning, Nathan Hofkamp posted on Facebook, “Finally free.”

Nathan Hofkamp | image via Illinois Department of Corrections