Chicago Man Charged After Allegedly Firing at SWAT Vehicle During Standoff

Prosecutors say Larry Hochmuth barricaded himself inside his home and fired a handgun at an armored SWAT vehicle during a lengthy confrontation with police.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A 45-year-old Chicago man named Larry Hochmuth has been charged with multiple felonies, including eight counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, after he allegedly fired a handgun at an armored SWAT vehicle during an hours-long standoff that began with a domestic dispute and ended with his arrest after he barricaded himself inside a bedroom.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement can face when responding to domestic disturbances, as well as the challenges of de-escalating a volatile situation involving a barricaded and armed suspect. It also raises questions about the appropriate use of SWAT teams and specialized equipment like armored vehicles in urban settings.

The details

According to prosecutors, the incident began late on January 31 when Hochmuth's girlfriend of 25 years returned home and noticed he was drinking and appeared agitated. After an argument, she went upstairs while Hochmuth remained on the first floor. Around 10:30 p.m., the girlfriend heard gunshots that appeared to come from the back porch, followed by another round of shots about 10 minutes later. When she came downstairs, she allegedly heard Hochmuth accessing a safe containing two firearms and saw him holding a 9mm handgun with an American flag design, which he fired toward her feet and into the ceiling.

  • The incident began late on January 31.
  • Around 10:30 p.m., the girlfriend heard the first round of gunshots.
  • About 10 minutes later, the girlfriend heard another round of gunshots.

The players

Larry Hochmuth

A 45-year-old Chicago resident who has been charged with multiple felonies, including eight counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, after the incident.

Larry Hochmuth's girlfriend

Hochmuth's girlfriend of 25 years, who returned home and noticed he was drinking and appeared agitated, leading to an argument and the start of the incident.

Chicago Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, including uniformed officers and a SWAT team.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in Chicago.”

— Robert Jenkins, Chicago resident (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Larry Hochmuth out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement face when responding to domestic disturbances involving armed and barricaded suspects, and the potential for such incidents to escalate into life-threatening situations for both officers and the public.