Joseph Hofstetter, the firefighter who found himself catapulted to "hero" status after surviving a deadly shooting rampage last December in New York, has re-attended to his call of duty.
According to local reports, Hofstetter showed up to his Rochester Fire Department crew on Tuesday morning, more than six months after being shot while responding to a call with the West Webster Fire District, where he volunteered. Two other volunteer firefighters were killed in the incident.
Media outlets have quoted him as saying: "I feel very lucky" and that he is thrilled to be back on full duty.
During the Christmas eve shooting incident, William Spengler Jr. shot and killed Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, both volunteer firefighters, and crictically wounded Hofstetter and Ted Scardino, both of whom survived.
Prior to the incident, William H. Spengler Jr., 62, had been imprisoned for beating his grandmother to death following an argument.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 81/3 to 25 years in prison. He served 17 years in prison for the 1980 slaying of 92-year-old Rose Spengler inside her home at 193 Lake Road.
On December 24, 2012, authorities said, Spengler set fire to his car and lakeside home before ambushing firefighters. He killed himself after the shootout with police.
No clear motive for the crime was identified.
