Officer involved shooting
C006405
Date:
August 27, 2020
For More Information:
Terry T. Wagner, twagner@lancaster.ne.gov
Several years ago the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln Police Department, in keeping with national best practices, entered into a Mutual Aide Agreement to develop a group of highly trained LPD officers and LSO deputies for the investigation of Officer Involved Shootings (OIS). Normally the involved agency (in this case LPD) would ask the uninvolved agency (LSO) to lead the OIS investigation. The investigation would focus on determining if the lethal force used was lawful. Chief Bliemeister asked me immediately after the shooting to be the lead agency on the OIS investigation. According to each agencies’ policies, the involved agency would conduct their own internal investigation that is concurrent, but separate, to determine if agency policies were followed.
As was stated on Wednesday, LPD Officers of the Gang and Investigative units, along with the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force were attempting to serve a warrant for Felipe Vazquez in the 3200 blk of Vine. The warrant stemmed from a homicide that occurred in March in the 2200 block of Orchard Street and had been issued for 2nd degree Assault. He was found to be inside of the residence and Officers began negotiating with Vazquez. The negotiations continued for almost ½ hour when Vazquez and another person, Orion Ross, aged 19, broke out a front window and jumped out of the residence. The evidence indicates as these two were fleeing the residence, Vazquez fired a semi-auto pistol at LPD Officers who were stationed outside the residence, striking Investigator Herrera. LPD Investigator Jennings returned fire. At this time it appears Vazquez fired 3 rounds and Investigator Jennings fired 4 rounds. Neither Vazquez or Ross were hit by the officer’s gunfire. Vazquez and Ross ran from the scene eastbound on Vine Street. Ross was apprehended on the playground of Hartley School and was unarmed. Vazquez continued running, eventually entering a residence in the 300 Block of N. 34th street. The homeowner ordered Vazquez out of the residence and alerted officers in the area to his presence. Vazquez was taken into custody without incident from the back porch of the residence. A .45 Caliber pistol was located on the porch. Vazquez and Ross had lacerations and scratches to their hands from jumping out of the broken window and jumping over fences during their escape. No injuries were caused by or sustained while being apprehended. Vazquez was lodged for his warrants, 1st Degree Assault on an Officer, possession of a stolen firearm and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Ross was lodged on two outstanding arrest warrants, one for 3rd Degree Assault, one for Failure to Comply and a District Court Order for Revocation of Probation, two counts of Accessory to a Class 1 Felony and Aid and Abet Escape.
Crime Scene technicians processed the three crime scenes (33 and Vine, 300 Blk of N. 34th and the Hartley playground) releasing the scene by noon today. The .45 caliber pistol recovered from the porch of the house on N. 34th where Vazquez was apprehended was found to have been reported stolen on July 12, 2020. The bullet that struck Investigator Herrera has been recovered. Being a plainclothes investigator, he was not wearing a ballistic vest. OIS investigators continue to interview officers, deputies and witnesses as the investigation continues.
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