Suspect fired shots, assaulted victim at Grand Rapids-Kentwood border

Nicholas James Hofstra, 38, faces four felony charges after police say he fired gunshots at a car and then physically assaulted the driver during a road rage incident on East Beltline Avenue near 28th Street.

The confrontation happened just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at the border of Grand Rapids and Kentwood, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The intersection was shut down for about two hours as officers responded to the scene.

No one hit by gunfire

Police said Hofstra fired shots from his vehicle at another car during the road rage confrontation. No one was struck by the gunfire, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

"The suspect fired shots from a vehicle during a road-rage confrontation," the department said in a statement reported by MLive.

A WOODTV news crew at the scene documented bullet holes in the windshield of the victim's vehicle, which was later towed away.

Physical assault left victim with chin wound

After firing the shots, Hofstra exited his vehicle and assaulted the victim in the same car he had targeted, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of a wound to the chin.

It was not immediately clear whether the chin wound resulted from the physical assault or from the gunfire, according to MLive.

Hofstra was arrested at the scene and booked into the Kent County Correctional Facility on Wednesday.

Four felony counts filed

The Kent County Prosecutor's Office charged Hofstra Thursday with the following felonies:

1. Assault with intent to murder — carries a possible life sentence
2. Assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder
3. Carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle
4. An additional weapons charge

Hofstra is scheduled to be arraigned on the four felony counts, according to Fox 17.

Major roadway closed during investigation

East Beltline Avenue was closed to northbound and southbound traffic at 28th Street for approximately two hours following the incident, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. The roadway has since reopened.

The Kentwood Police Department, the Grand Rapids Police Department, and the Michigan State Police all responded to the scene, according to WZZM13.

The investigation remains ongoing.