‘Just in shock’: close friend reacts to death of Lincoln mother of 5

UPDATE: Lincoln Police identified the victim as 34-year-old Audrea Craig. 

Just before 4 am Wednesday morning, gunshots rang out in a southeast Lincoln home.

Officers arrived to find a 34–year old woman, and mother of five, who had been shot to death.

Lincoln Police officials say there were six children between the ages of 6 and 16 who were home when the shooting happened.

A good friend of the victim agreed to speak with us.

We are not naming her in an effort to not jeopardize the ongoing police investigation.

“I’m just in shock… She was just such a loving and kind person, someone I could always trust. Had a great big heart. Was a mom of five… It just really seems surreal,” said the shooting victim’s friend.

Throughout the day, investigators with LPD and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office were on scene, searching for forensic and digital evidence, as well as interviewing witnesses to learn more.

“We are still investigating the events preceding this homicide to determine if it was an act of targeted violence,” said LPD chief Jeff Bliemeister.

According to the victims friend, the slain mother of 5 has had previous run-ins with people breaking into her home at night.

She says it happened earlier this month.

“Last week, in the early evening, two gentlemen broke into her house while her children were there. They ended up leaving empty handed, they came back the next day and broke in again during the afternoon,” said the shooting victim’s friend.

The shooting victim’s friend says just last week, security cameras were installed at the home where the shooting happened for extra protection.

“I really hope that they catch the person that did it, she had so many cameras set up, there is no way that this person is going to go unfound,” said the shooting victim’s friend.

The investigation is still in its early stages and the victims name has not yet been released.

If you know something about this shooting,  you are encouraged to call Lincoln Police or Lincoln Crimestoppers.

Previous reporting on this story can be found here:

https://www.klkntv.com/story/40829425/homicide-investigation-in-south-lincoln-suspect-still-at-large