Man Kills Doctor Over His Birth Defect

A US man who shot and killed the doctor who helped delivered him may have been motivated by anger over his birth defect.

Lawyer Ted Hoffstrom, 30, shot dead obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Stephen Larson on Friday in Orono, Minnesota. Dr Larson who had treated Hoffstrom's mother 30 years ago, reports Fox 9.

Hoffstrom was shot dead by police at Dr Larson’s home, after cops arrived to find him sitting on the front porch with a semi-automatic weapon.

Police confirmed that Dr Larson treated Hoffstrom’s mother, and that Hoffstrom had expressed anger to his family over the doctor. Hoffstorm appeared to blame the doctor for the condition of his hands, which suffered a birth defect.

"The suspect had recently expressed hostility to his family members regarding Dr Larson," said Hennepin County Sheriff rich Stanek.

Classmates of Hoffstrom at the University of St Thomas, where the shooter graduated with a law degree in 2009, said he had "limitations with his hands".

Professors and classmates expressed shock at Hofstrom’s violent act.

"Ted is - was - a great guy," said his former professor Charles Reid. "This is inexplicable to me. I do not understand this. This is not the student I knew."

Hoffstrom, who passed the bar exam last year, lived at home with his parents. They left a note on their door, extending "heartfelt prayers and sympathy" to Dr Larson’s family.

"Our hearts are broken for all of those affected by this tragic event," they wrote. "We are shocked and saddened by this news, and many questions remain unanswered."