On the morning of February 23, 2021, Salina officers and EMS responded to reports of gunfire and a scream in the 700 block of North 4th Street. Inside a vehicle parked at 731 N. 4th Street they found 36-year-old Courtney Ann Hoffman, a White woman and mother of three, suffering a fatal gunshot wound; she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Salina Police quickly opened a homicide investigation that identified 35-year-old Nelson Gerrod Hull III of Salina as the primary suspect. A Saline County warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Hull, who was described as a Black male, 6 feet 3 inches, about 200 pounds, with a Mi Familia tattoo on the right side of his neck and considered armed and dangerous. Crimestoppers offered a cash reward for information.

Law enforcement located Hull at a residence on E. Stimmel Road and, after a two-and-a-half-hour standoff that included use of a public address system and chemical agents, he surrendered and was arrested. He was charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm; charges of obstructing apprehension were also requested for a woman at the scene named Julie Ecton.

If anyone knew Courtney, saw activity near North 4th Street on February 23, 2021, or has information about this case, please share what is known.