Man Could Do Life Behind Bars For Allegedly Shooting La Honda Pair Over Weekend

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA - North Carolina man could spend life in prison after being arraigned Thursday on charges of attempted murder for the shooting of two La Honda men outside their home on Saturday morning, San Mateo County Deputy District attorney Karen Guidotti said today.

Bernard Hafler, 36, of Grandy, North Carolina, was arraigned in a Redwood City courtroom before Judge Jeffrey Finigan and told of the charges against him, which include attempted murder, residential burglary and auto theft.

Hafler was appointed a private defender and is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

Hafler allegedly shot two La Honda residents at about 7 a.m. Saturday, in the area of Mindego Hill and Alpine roads, for what appears to be no reason at all, prosecutors said.

• Previous: Pacifica Officer Shot At During Scuffle With La Honda Double-Shooting Suspect

Hafler emerged from a 75-year-old man's home while the man was sitting on his deck, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and without saying anything shot the victim in the face. When the victim fell to the ground Hafler shot the man in the head, according to prosecutors.

Hafler then walked to a cottage behind the first victim's home and fired several shots, one of which hit a 53-year-old man in the face. Hafler then allegedly stole the first victim's car, a 2006 Jaguar station wagon, and drove away, prosecutors said.

The car was found abandoned on Monday at the Daly City BART station, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Both victims have so far survived their life-threatening injuries.

As Pacifica police tried to apprehend Hafler on Wednesday he shot at an officer as the two struggled on a highway embankment, sheriff's officials said. Hafler was walking on state Highway 1 south of Manor Drive when officers saw him.

As the officer and Hafler struggled on the embankment, Hafler was allegedly able to get off one shot at the officer. The bullet missed, according to sheriff's officials.

Guidotti said prosecutors will be filing an amended complaint against Hafler, which adds charges related to the officer shooting. The officer was able to disarm Hafler and take him into custody. Both were treated at a hospital for minor injuries, sheriff's officials said. Hafler is in custody in the county jail without bail, Guidotti said.

Prosecutors believe Hafler may have mental health issues.

Previous:

• Jaguar Reportedly Stolen In La Honda Double-Shooting Found In Daly City
• UPDATE On La Honda Shooting: Suspect Driving Green Jaguar Wagon Possibly Left Area
• Two Peninsula Men Shot Multiple Times By Suspect At Large

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