Lincoln man accused of punching teens, shooting DHHS worker facing more charges

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A former Air Park Rec Center employee is facing additional charges in the shooting of a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services caseworker.

Brent Lopez, 38, of Lincoln was charged Thursday with first-degree assault, two counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony and attempting a Class II felony.

On Tuesday, days after Lopez punched a pair of teens at the rec center, two caseworkers went to his North Bottoms home to conduct a welfare check, the Lincoln Police Department said.

Lopez, who thought the caseworkers were police, fired two to three shots, hitting one of them in the leg, according to an arrest affidavit.

The caseworker suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Lancaster County Judge Laurie Yardley set Lopez’s bond at $500,000.  He must pay $50,000 to be released.

Lopez’s next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln Police say DHHS workers knew man may be armed before shooting