Vazquez pleads not guilty in LPD officer murder case

Felipe Vazquez was charged with the first-degree murder of Mario Herrera in September, now pleads not guilty

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- 17-year-old Felipe Vazquez was charged with the first-degree murder of Lincoln police investigator, Luis “Mario” Herrera, in September, he is now pleading not guilty.

Vazquez was charged with first-degree murder and six other felonies in the death of Herrera in September.  Several of the other charges are gun-related.

Herrera, a veteran of 23 years at the Lincoln Police Department, was shot at Vazquez’s home as officers were trying to arrest him on August 26 and passed awayLP two weeks later on September 7.

Originally scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, Vazquez waived an appearance and instead sumbitted a hand-written plea.

BACKGROUND INFO: Vazquez charged with first-degree murder