UPDATE: Suspect in custody following December shooting, victim hospitalized
Lincoln Police have a suspect in custody following an early December shooting.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police have a suspect in custody following an early December shooting. The victim, however, remains hospitalized.
Victim Brandon Wagner was shot multiple times in the torso and back during the early hours of Dec. 6 near the 200 block of Blue Flame Road.
Through further investigation, officers developed 41-year-old January Wheeler as a suspect. But, due to Wagner’s perilous medical status at the time, officers were unable to interview the victim and confirm Wheeler as the potential gunman.
Wagner has since undergone emergency surgery and is no longer in life-threatening condition. Police were able to discuss the events of Dec. 6 with Wagner and reportedly confirmed Wheeler as the suspect.
The victim claimed he was going to a friend’s house when he was approached by Wheeler, who showed Wagner the gun before shooting him several times.
Wheeler was found at a Beatrice motel on Thursday, Jan. 7, where he was arrested for first-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
Original story posted Dec. 8, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
A Lincoln man has been identified as the victim of a shooting that happened early Sunday morning at Blue Flame Road near north 1st and west Belmont Avenue.
Lincoln Police say 37-year-old Brandon Wagner remains in the hospital and is in critical but stable condition.
The shooting was reported by neighbors around 12:30 Sunday morning who tell police they heard gunshots in the area after a loud argument. When police arrived on the scene, they found a car with a window broken out and drops of blood leading up to a residence.
Police say they searched the home, fearing someone was inside with injuries but found the residence empty.
A short time later, however, officials say Wagner showed up at the hospital with life-threatening injuries and was taken into an emergency surgery. Police also confirmed the car found on the scene of the shooting belongs to Wagner.
The investigation into the timeline of the shooting, as well as finding those responsible, is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000.
