Lincoln man convicted of murder in deadly dispute over unleashed dog

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln man was found guilty this week of murdering his neighbor in a dispute over a dog.

Armon Rejai, 30, pleaded no contest Monday to second-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Julian Martinez. He had been charged with first-degree murder and three other felonies.

The murder happened on the morning of Jan. 21, 2023, near 18th Street and Euclid Avenue.

Rejai was walking his dog when he started arguing with his neighbors about them having an unleashed dog in their yard, according to court documents.

SEE ALSO: Argument over pets led to fatal shooting of Lincoln teen, police say

When he went inside his home, he heard the neighbors yell “various obscenities” at him, an arrest affidavit says.

So Rejai came outside, fired pepper spray at them and went back in, police said.

Then Martinez, one of the neighbors, came to Rejai’s door and started “beating” on it, the affidavit says.

SEE ALSO: Man arrested in connection to the shooting death of an 18-year-old Lincoln resident

When Martinez stopped banging on the door, Rejai opened it and shot him one time.

Rejai called 911 and said he had shot someone.

Witnesses gave aid to Martinez, but he later died at a hospital.

Rejai is set to be sentenced on July 31. He will face anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.

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