One killed at Branched Oak Lake; Lancaster County deputies continue search for gunman

Sheriff Wagner says the shooter "appeared to know where he was going" in the attack

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner identified the victim in Tuesday’s homicide at Branched Oak Marina.

SEE ALSO: Lancaster County shooting investigation underway at Branched Oak Lake

Around 11:24 p.m., deputies were called area 11 of the marina on reports of gunshots.  The victim, 42-year-old Benjamin J. Case of Lincoln, was having a party with four friends in the cabin of his boat when he was shot.

According to Wagner, the witnesses say they “felt somebody walk on the boat.” The victim opened the door to the cabin and “immediately gets shot twice by an unknown assailant.”

Wagner said that the two shots were fired by a handgun and that the gunman did not appear to shoot at any of the witnesses, none of whom were injured.

A brief struggle ensued between witnesses and the gunman before some of the people escaped from the boat and into the water through hatches.

The suspect “appeared to know where he was going” in his attack.  Wagner said the sheriff’s office does not yet know if there was any relationship between Case and the male shooter.

Witnesses said the man fled north from the area in a car.

First Responders attempted life-saving measures on Case, who was pronounced dead at the scene after those measures failed.

Deputies are still working to identify the gunman or his vehicle.  They believe that the shooting is not believed to be random and that there is not to be a further threat to the public.

The Lancaster County Attorney’s Office says they scheduled an autopsy to “determine the cause of death.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office at 402-441-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.