Lincoln man accused of shooting 78-year-old wife in the head

An 80-year-old Lincoln man has been arrested after police say he shot his 78-year-old wife in the head over the weekend.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Authorities have identified a Lincoln man accused of shooting his wife in the head over the weekend.

LPD officers arrested 80-year-old John Kotopka Sunday morning. He was lodged in Lancaster County Jail on charges of first-degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Officers responded to the couple’s home near 18th and Dakota St. around 6:30 a.m.

Police say the couple’s 42-year-old son told officers he heard a gunshot and found his mother, identified as 78-year-old Janet Kotopka, with a bullet in her head.

Janet Kotopka was taken to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Police say the gun used in the shooting has been recovered.

This is a developing story, we will continue to provide more details as they become available.