Statement of Counsel for Patrick McBride

On September 13, 2026, an incident occurred that resulted in the discharge of a firearm. Any matter involving the discharge of a firearm is a consequential event that demands a complete investigation and review of the full set of facts. Recent coverage, however, has presented an incomplete picture of that day, and we feel obligated to respond.

Earlier that afternoon, before he had any contact with Mr. McBride, Scottsdale police contacted Mr. Hoffman in a different gated community, advised him that he needed a permit to solicit in Scottsdale, and trespassed him from that community. Mr. Hoffman then entered Mr. McBride’s private, gated community past a “No Trespassing” sign posted at its entrance to solicit door to door, and when Mr. McBride asked him to leave, he did not. Neighborhood security video reviewed by Scottsdale police shows Mr. Hoffman riding back past the McBride home, and roughly ten minutes later he was still in the community, ringing another resident’s doorbell.

Headlines describing Mr. Hoffman as “shot in the back” suggest a man deliberately shot while walking away. That is simply not what happened. Mr. McBride defended himself. When the two encountered each other again, Mr. McBride, 80 years old and on foot, saw the 21-year-old Mr. Hoffman coming at him aggressively on a motorized Segway. As the Segway accelerated toward him, Mr. McBride drew his gun from its holster and held it by his side. Then, as Mr. Hoffman closed in, he raised his right hand holding an object. In that split second, Mr. McBride could not be sure what it was, and believing he was about to be struck, he raised his arm to protect himself. The gun discharged when they made contact.

Within seconds, Mr. McBride told his wife to call an ambulance, and he stayed with Mr. Hoffman until police and paramedics arrived. Contrary to some reports, he did not take Mr. Hoffman’s phone or return to his house. When Mr. Hoffman asked for his phone so he could call his family, Mrs. McBride retrieved it from the ground nearby and gave it to him. Mr. McBride cooperated with police and wishes Mr. Hoffman a full recovery.

Mr. McBride is a graduate of the Air Force Academy who served his country. In the more than five decades since, he has been a husband, father, and neighbor. Mr. McBride has pleaded not guilty. An indictment is an accusation, not evidence, and he is presumed innocent. The facts will be decided in a courtroom, through evidence and sworn testimony, not through news reports and social media. We respectfully ask the public to withhold judgment until the legal process runs its course.

Out of respect for that process, we will not be commenting further.