Trooper who fired shot after pursuit in Waverly is placed on administrative leave

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The trooper who fired a shot after a chase in Waverly on Tuesday is being placed on administrative leave.

Officials from the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol gave an update Wednesday on the investigation.

Trenton Engel, 34, has been released from the hospital and booked at the Lancaster County Jail on several felony charges, including assault on an officer and flight to avoid arrest.

“He is very dangerous, he doesn’t care about other people’s safety,” Houchin said.

Shortly after noon on Tuesday, deputies were sent to U-Save Pharmacy near Highway 6 and Guildford Street in Waverly on a report of a disturbance.

When deputies arrived, they found a pickup truck that was involved in the incident and tried pulling it over, Houchin said.

The truck — driven by Engel — took off, according to the sheriff’s office.  Deputies pursued Engel until he spun out at Highway 6 and Amberly Road.

Maj. Jeff Wilcynski said Engel started ramming into vehicles, almost running over a trooper who narrowly escaped by getting back into his cruiser.

This is when a trooper fired a single round.  The bullet did not hit Engel, according to Wilcynski.

“In accordance with the Nebraska State Patrol policy, that trooper has been placed on administrative leave while the Nebraska State Patrol conducts an internal review,” Wilcynski said.

The Lincoln Police Department is also leading an officer-involved shooting investigation.

Deputies and troopers used Tasers, pepper balls and foam projectiles to stop Engel, and he was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Houchin said some officers suffered minor cuts and scrapes from broken glass.

“We’re just glad it turned out that no citizens were injured and no law enforcement was injured,” Houchin said. “Seriously. Scary event.”

The victim of the initial disturbance is safe, according to the sheriff’s office.