Man charged in New Year’s Eve shootout takes plea deal

(KHGI) A man charged in a New Year’s Eve shootout and manhunt took a plea deal on Monday morning, reducing four charges down to just one.

Luke Lefever, 30, entered the Howard County courtroom just after 11:30 a.m., where he pleaded no contest to one charge of attempted first-degree murder, a Class II felony. It could come with a maximum of 50 years in prison. Other charges including another attempted first-degree murder charge, possession of a firearm by a felon and habitual criminal were all dropped in exchange for his plea.

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office said Lefever shot at deputies and stole a patrol vehicle on the night of Dec. 31. One deputy said Lefever fired 25 shots at him, some coming close to striking him.

With help from a helicopter, SWAT officers tracked the suspect to a creek bed, where a patrol dog helped bring the Lefever into custody.

Around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 1, the sheriff sent an alert to the community, giving the all-clear.

According to the State Patrol, Luke Lefever had a gunshot wound to his left forearm and was showing signs of hypothermia.

After a stop at the St. Paul hospital, a helicopter took him to Lincoln, where was hospitalized at CHI Health St. Elizabeth. His appearance in court on Monday showed fingers missing on both of his hands from his injuries.

He has a bond set at $1 million and is considered a danger to the community. His sentencing date has not been set.

Lefever was also named a suspect in a pursuit in June, 2018 that went through Dawson and Lincoln Counties, but no charges were filed against him in that case.

(This story was originally reported by our partner station KHGI)