Lincoln man shot DHHS caseworker two days after punching teens, police say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services caseworker was shot Tuesday while conducting a child welfare check, police said.

The shooting happened around 4 p.m. in the North Bottoms neighborhood.

One neighbor, Adam Lucero, said he heard two or three gunshots.

“About a couple of minutes later, I hear a bunch of sirens, and then I come out front, and there’s about 30 cops out here,” he said.

Two DHHS caseworkers were sent to a home near Seventh and Y streets for a child welfare check, according to the Lincoln Police Department.

The check came just 48 hours after Brent Lopez, 38, was fired from his job at the Air Park Rec Center.

Police said Lopez was involved in a fight and punched two teenage girls.

In a YouTube video uploaded on Tuesday afternoon, Lopez claimed the mother of his children called for the welfare check because of the fight.

In the video, Lopez can be heard talking to police officers who were conducting a wellness check.

“We’re not good, though,” Lopez told the officer. “Welfare check is negative, man. We’re in danger.”

When the DHHS workers arrived later Tuesday afternoon, they stood in the front lawn of Lopez’s home.

Police said Lopez came outside and fired multiple rounds from the porch.

One caseworker, a 28-year-old man, was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

The other caseworker was not injured, police said.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer and use of a firearm to commit a felony.

He was taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

Three children were at the home during the shooting, police said.

“It’s chaos here right now,” Lucero said. “People are trying to figure out what’s going on.”

Those with information on the case can call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.