Case advances against man charged in gang-related Lincoln shooting

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A 20-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday in a 2022 Lincoln shooting.

Charees Loftin of Omaha waived his preliminary hearing in Lancaster County Court, and the judge sent the case to district court.

Loftin is accused of firing into a crowded parking lot near 27th and Fairfield streets on Sept. 25, 2022.

Two 20-year-olds were injured in the shooting, which police said was an attack on rival gang members.

Investigators found 71 spent shell casings at the scene, according to court documents.

Four days later, Loftin and three others were involved in a chase with Omaha Police, an arrest affidavit says.

He and one of his accomplices got away, police said, but they dropped some key pieces of evidence.

Officers found Loftin’s cellphone and two guns that were used in the Lincoln shooting, according to the affidavit.

That led to a judge issuing an arrest warrant for Loftin in February 2023.

He was arrested in September and is charged with second-degree assault, use of a firearm to commit a felony, possessing or receiving a stolen firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

His arraignment in Lancaster County District Court is scheduled for Jan. 22.