Trooper fires shot after chase in Waverly; man rammed cruisers, sheriff’s office says

WAVERLY, Neb. (KLKN) – Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting Tuesday after a chase in Waverly.

Shortly after noon, deputies were sent to U-Save Pharmacy near Highway 6 and Guildford Street in Waverly on a report of a disturbance.

When deputies arrived, they found a pickup truck that was involved in the incident and tried pulling it over, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.

But the truck — driven by 34-year-old Trenton Engel of Lincoln — took off, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies began a pursuit, which took them down several Waverly streets.

Eventually, Engel spun out at Highway 6 and Amberly Road.

Deputies and state troopers then surrounded the vehicle, and the sheriff’s office said Engel backed into a Nebraska State Patrol vehicle.

The trooper in the vehicle then fired a shot, which authorities said did not hit Engel.

The sheriff’s office said Engel kept ramming cruisers, so deputies and troopers used Tasers, pepper balls and foam projectiles to stop him.

Engel was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

After he is treated, he will be placed in the Lancaster County Jail. Charges are pending.

The sheriff’s office said Engel damaged five law enforcement vehicles.

Houchin said some officers suffered minor cuts and scrapes from broken glass.

“We’re just glad it turned out that no citizens were injured and no law enforcement was injured,” Houchin said. “Seriously. Scary event.”

The victim of the initial disturbance is safe, according to the sheriff’s office.