LPD: No one injured when officer fires gun in north Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A traffic stop in north Lincoln early Monday morning led to an officer firing his gun at the vehicle, police say.
Just before 2:30 a.m., officers pulled over a vehicle outside an apartment building near North 46th and Orchard streets.
Police said the officers had probable cause to order the driver, 66-year-old Ronald Willis, and passenger, 44-year-old Cynthia Chamberlin, out of the vehicle for a search.
While ordering the occupants to exit the vehicle, an officer was standing outside the vehicle’s open passenger door, police said.
Willis drove off, and the officer got caught “inside the vehicle,” according to LPD.
“The door had been opened on the passenger side, and he had stepped into door to assist the female,” Police Chief Michon Morrow said. “She was not unnecessarily cooperative. It was at that point, while he was standing in the doorway that the driver drove away.”
The vehicle “slowly” continued down Orchard Street as two officers chased after it, police said.
A K9 handler turned back to get his cruiser, while the other officer pulled out his gun and demanded multiple times that Willis stop the vehicle, according to police.
Willis didn’t stop, and the officer fired his gun in the direction of the vehicle. No one was injured by the gunshot.
The vehicle stopped at 48th and Orchard streets. The officer who was caught inside the vehicle was able to walk away with minor injuries.
Police said Willis and Chamberlin were then taken into custody.
Willis was arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest and assault on a police officer. Chamberlin is accused of possession of a controlled substance.
Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues, police said.
People living nearby said it’s been the talk of the neighborhood all day.
“Some people would just ask me if I’d seen the commotion, and they were like, ‘Do you know what’s going on?'” Dan Warnky said. “I would give them the little information I had other people had a little more information for me as well.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
TRAFFIC ALERT
N. 48th between Vine and Holdrege streets is shut down as #LPD investigates an early morning incident.
Please find an alternate route if you use these roads to drive to work or school.
We will post again once the intersection reopens. pic.twitter.com/Vsb56tvwDY
— Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) February 24, 2025
