A man from League City has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office for a near-fatal stabbing incident in the lobby of an LA Fitness facility in 2023.
The jury listened to testimony during the punishment phase and reached a decision in less than 30 minutes, sentencing Hawthorne to the harshest possible penalty.
According to reports, Hawthorne attempted to flee but was apprehended by officers from the League City Police Department in the gym parking lot.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a knife covered in blood in a nearby grassy area.
Hoepker was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to officers.
While at the LA Fitness gym, she received a harassing phone call from Hawthorne. Distressed and seeking help, she turned to her friend Hoepker and asked him to intervene and ask Hawthorne to stop bothering her. Unfortunately, when Hawthorne arrived at the gym after the call, he proceeded to assault Hoepker.