‘Everyone loved him’: Lincoln man found dead at Fonner Park remembered by friends

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Friends and colleagues of Todd Scherer, the victim of a homicide at Fonner Park in Grand Island, say he was a beloved trainer at the park.

Originally from Lincoln, 62-year-old Scherer was found dead with a gunshot wound at one of the park’s horse stables Thursday morning.

Longtime friend Jeff Apel said he was shocked and saddened to hear about what happened.

“Todd was at the barn all day,” he said. “I could stop by midway through the day if I wanted to see a horse or two, Todd was always there. That’s what he loved to do. That was his passion in life was horses. He cared about people, and he cared about horses and it’s just unmatched dedication.”

Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said the horse racing community has been shaken up by Scherer’s death.

“People across the country knew the victim, he had worked in several jurisdictions, and everyone loved him,” she said. “They said he was a really fun person, really positive, and they were absolutely beside themselves when they heard the news that he had died.”

McNally said security and surveillance in the area had already been heightened because of the new casino being built there, but those protocols could change after a review with the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak also put out a statement:

“It is horrifying news that Todd Scherer, who was such a popular person in our Nebraska thoroughbred industry, has been wickedly taken away from us. Many of us grew up with Todd, including myself, and he was typically associated with good times at the racetrack.”

He said Scherer’s family is understandable devastated by what happened, and he expresses the park’s sympathies to them during this time.

Logan Hunts Horse, 20, and Austin Kelly, 16, have both been arrested in the slaying of Scherer.

Hunt Horse was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder use of a firearm to commit a felony, and robbery.

And Kelly was arrested on suspicion of robbery, as well as 2 counts of accessory to a felony.