Grand Island police release names in officer-involved shooting

(KHGI) — Police are releasing more details about an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead and an officer with knife wounds.

The Grand Island Police Department identified the man who was shot on March 13 as Benjamin Melendez, 29, of Grand Island. Melendez died at a hospital later that night.

The officer who fired the shot was identified as Rick Ehlers, a 19-year veteran of the department. Ehlers received knife wounds in the incident and was hospitalized until March 15.

GIPD said an independent investigation is continuing into the incident as a matter of normal and best practice. The findings of that investigation will be forwarded to the Hall County Attorney’s Office, and will not be handled by or further commented upon by GIPD.

GIPD said they continue their concern for their officers, the family of the deceased, and the community as a whole, as they allow this process to take place.

(This story was originally reported by our partner station KHGI)