Authorities arrest brother of teen charged with killing LPD officer

The brother of a teenager accused of killing a Lincoln police officer has been charged with possessing a stolen firearm.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The brother of a teenager charged with killing a Lincoln police officer has been charged with possessing a stolen firearm.

Angel Mendoza, 17, appeared in Lancaster County court Tuesday where a judge set his bond at $100,000.

According to an arrest affidavit, Mendoza was in possession of a black Smith and Wesson .45 caliber handgun that authorities say his brother, 17-year-old Felipe Vazquez, used to shoot LPD Inv. Mario Herrera on Aug. 26.

Authorities say the gun was recovered on the back porch of a home near 34th and Vine St. where Vazquez was taken into custody.

Investigators said in the affidavit that Mendoza knew the gun was stolen from a relative of Vazquez’s co-defendant Orion Ross.

Herrera died at an Omaha hospital in the weeks following the shooting. Vazquez faces a first-degree murder charge in connection to his death.

Mendoza is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon for arraignment.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Bruce Prenda told Channel 8 Eyewitness News Mendoza will be charged as an adult.