Police identify officer who shot wanted man at north Lincoln hotel

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Police Department has identified the officer who fired twice at a suspect last Tuesday.

LPD said Officer Nicholas Vest approached Garrett Hanika — who was wanted on a federal warrant out of Council Bluffs, Iowa — at a hotel at 25th and Fairfield streets.

Hanika, who was in a Jeep, reversed and crashed into Vest’s cruiser.

Police said Hanika also tried to run over Vest, who fired two shots, striking him.

A 39-year-old woman got out of the Jeep, and Hanika ran her over, trapping her underneath, according to police.

She is still in the hospital with serious injuries but is expected to survive.

Hanika was treated for two gunshot wounds, one to the head and another to a lower extremity.

Once medically cleared, he was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including first-degree assault and attempted first-degree assault on an officer.

LPD said Vest has more than seven years of law enforcement experience and joined the department in July 2021.

Vest is still on administrative leave.