Lincoln man gets life in prison for murder at Branched Oak Lake

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a deadly shooting at Branched Oak Lake.

Taban Rik, 24, was sentenced Thursday for second-degree murder.

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The shooting happened on July 19, 2022, when 42-year-old Benjamin Case was having a party on his boat with some friends.

Court documents say Rik came on board and shot Case. The others on the boat escaped into the water.

Rik fled in a car, which authorities say he later tried to clean up with bleach.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln man arrested in connection to Branched Oak homicide

But investigators found Case’s DNA on the driver’s side floorboard.

In July, he pleaded guilty in exchange for prosecutors reducing his charge from first-degree murder.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln man remembered at vigil at Branched Oak Lake