Man makes first court appearance two years after Lincoln shooting

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man was arraigned in court Monday on charges stemming from a 2022 Lincoln shooting.

Charees Loftin, 20, is charged with second-degree assault and three weapons violations.

He was booked into the Lancaster County Jail on Friday.

On Sept. 25, 2022, court documents allege that Loftin fired into a crowded parking lot near 27th and Fairfield streets.

About 200 to 300 people were leaving a party there when “a barrage of gunfire” rang out, an arrest affidavit says.

Loftin was targeting rival gang members, according to the Lincoln Police Department.

One 20-year-old was shot in the foot, and another was shot in the hand.

Investigators found 71 spent shell casings in the parking lot, police said.

Four days later, the Omaha Police Department chased Loftin and three others in a stolen Jeep, according to the affidavit.

They got out of the vehicle and ran, and two of them were caught, police said.

Loftin and another occupant evaded capture, but police said they found two guns on their path.

Those guns were the same used in the Lincoln shooting, the affidavit said.

Investigators also found Loftin’s cellphone and searched it.

One text message sent a couple hours before the shooting said he was “IN BLOW MODE,” according to the affidavit.

A judge issued a warrant for Loftin’s arrest in February 2023.

Loftin is being held on a $500,000 bond. He must pay 10% of that — $50,000 — to be released.

His next court appearance is set for Oct. 31.