16-year-old mistakes his brother for attacker, fatally shoots him, Nebraska cops say

A “tragedy” unfolded in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, leaving a 20-year-old dead and his teenage brother in jail, Nebraska authorities say.

Officers in Lincoln were dispatched to an apartment around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, for reports of gunshots, and they found the 20-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds outside a building, Lincoln Police Capt. Ben Miller said in a briefing streamed by KOLN.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Miller.

An investigation revealed the victim’s 16-year-old brother was the accused shooter, but police said the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

The brothers arrived at the complex in different vehicles, Miller said. The younger brother, who the police captain said had been jumped in a parking lot days earlier, began to fear for his safety when he saw an unknown man approach him in the parking lot.

The 16-year-old fired multiple shots at the unknown person, who he later realized was his brother, according to police. Miller said the 16-year-old was not expecting to see his older brother, who was also armed.

The younger brother was taken into custody and faces charges of manslaughter and use of a weapon to commit a felony, according to police.

“Any loss of life is a tragedy, but especially devastating during the holiday season,” Miller said. “It deeply affects our entire community.”

Officers did not publicly release the identity of the brothers.

An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Lincoln police at 402-441-6000.

This story was originally published December 24, 2024 at 8:39 AM with the headline "16-year-old mistakes his brother for attacker, fatally shoots him, Nebraska cops say."