Police identify Lincoln man who fatally shot himself inside LPD cruiser

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Police have identified a Lincoln man who fatally shot himself inside an LPD cruiser on Sunday.

Eleazar Oceguera, 45, was reported to be having a mental health crisis near 54th and Meredeth streets, according to the Lincoln Police Department.

When officers arrived at the scene around 8 p.m., Oceguera was trying to enter a home through a basement window.

Police Oceguera was handcuffed and searched before being placed in the back of a police cruiser.

While officers were interviewing witnesses to determine if Oceguera needed to be placed into emergency protective custody, he shot himself in the cruiser.

Oceguera was able to move his hands, which were handcuffed behind him, to the front of his body, where he pulled out a gun from inside his pants, police said.

LPD said the agency would not be releasing body camera footage of the shooting.  A few still images of the incident have been made available to the public.

“It would be disrespectful to his loved ones to publicize the last moments of his life. He was a son, a father and a partner who was clearly suffering. It was traumatizing for those on scene and would be for anyone who would watch it,” Police Chief Michon Morrow said in a press release. “LPD officers treated Oceguera with kindness and patience as they tried to help him by placing him in Emergency Protective Custody with the goal of connecting him to needed resources.”

The officer whose cruiser Oceguera shot himself in was placed on administrative leave as an investigation continues, as required by LPD’s general orders.

In the press release, LPD provided a webpage of mental health resources available in Lincoln.