Euless police officer dead after shooting at city park Tuesday

People are honoring a North Texas police officer who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday afternoon.

All morning long there has been a steady stream of people visiting a memorial outside the Euless Police Department. Members of the community and even officers from other departments have been leaving notes, flowers, candles and other items to show how much they cared about Officer David Hofer.

“It doesn’t matter what department you are with. It’s a big band of brothers and sisters. I just felt pulled to come here because I wanted to let him know we are here for them,” said Ashley Terry, an airport police officer.

Hofer was shot while responding to a call about a suspicious person and possible gun shots being fired at J.A. Carr Park, which is in a residential neighborhood off Simmons Drive in Euless.

A neighbor’s cellphone video actually captured the sounds of gunfire. Police said as soon as the officers got to the park the suspect opened fire.

Other officers shot the gunman, who died on the scene. Hofer was taken to Baylor Hospital in Grapevine, but he died while in surgery.

Neighbors told FOX 4 they heard several gunshots, but couldn’t see what happened.

“It was kind of scary to hear that pop, pop, pop,” one resident said.

“These people get up every day they are moms and dads and this officer isn't going home tonight,” said Eric Love, who lives near the park. “You guys are going home. I'm going home it's very, very sad.”

A source inside Euless police said the gunman used a high-powered rifle. His identity has not yet been released.

Hofer was a 29-year-old resident of Plano. He was engaged to be married and recent photos posted on social media show him proposing to his fiancé.

He graduated from New York University in 2008 and spent about five years with the New York Police Department. He joined the Euless Police Department in January 2014.

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