A former Colorado neurosurgeon was formally indicted on attempted murder charges Thursday over an alleged shootout with deputy U.S. Marshals in March.
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Thomas Earl Steffens, 72, of Grand Junction, was wanted for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in Grand Junction in January. Members of a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked him to Vero Beach, Florida, about 80 miles north of Palm Beach. He had reportedly said he would not be taken into custody alive.
The task force found Steffens riding in a passenger vehicle and pulled it over. He allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and began shooting at the deputy marshals, hitting one in the chest and leg, according to a news release announcing the indictment.
The deputies shot Steffens multiple times. He was taken into custody and to the hospital.
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He now faces five counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, five counts of aggravated assault of a federal officer, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, according to a news release announcing the indictment. He also still faces the sexual assault charges.
The FBI is investigating the incident with help from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
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