Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for near-fatal stabbing at League City LA Fitness in 2023

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — A League City man will be sentenced to 20 years in prison for the near-fatal stabbing of a man in the LA Fitness lobby in 2023, according to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.

The jury heard testimony on the penalty phase and deliberated for less than 30 minutes before sentencing Hawthorne to the maximum penalty.

On February 20, 2023, Hawthorne stabbed then-21-year-old Rylan Hoepker 19 times in the LA Fitness lobby. Hawthorne shouted “I’m going to kill you” and attacked Hoepker before stabbing him.

Hawthorne then reportedly tried to flee but was stopped in the gym parking lot by officers from the League City Police Department.

Investigators said a bloody knife was found in a nearby grassy area.

Hoepker was taken to the hospital in critical condition, officers said.

According to the district attorney’s office, Hawthorne’s pursuit of his ex-girlfriend was a contributing factor to his near-fatal stabbing of Hoepker. Jurors heard the ex-girlfriend detail other incidents in which Hawthorne threatened or assaulted her before and after the stabbing.

He also received a harassing phone call from Hawthorne while he was at the LA Fitness gym, prompting his friend Hoepker to tell Hawthorne to leave him alone. Hawthorne attacked Hoepker when he went to the gym after the phone call.