An officer-involved shooting remains under investigation after an early-morning altercation led an Alliance Police Department Officer to discharge their firearm.
According to a press release issued by APD Chief Philip Lukens, the incident occurred just after midnight Saturday. An officer attempted to stop a vehicle, though the vehicle fled the city and the officer pursued. The pursuit was discontinued, however, due to the extreme driving.
Shortly thereafter, an officer was dispatched on an attempted car jacking at knifepoint. While the officer was responding to the report, another officer, who was bringing a prisoner to the jail, observed a vehicle entering the police department parking lot at a high rate of speed.
“The driver was screaming for help while a vehicle (the same vehicle from the earlier pursuit) was chasing them and ramming them. An altercation occurred and the officer discharged their firearm,” Lukens stated in the release.
The suspect fled the scene and additional officers were called. One officer observed a fight occurring at the intersection of Third Street and Box Butte Avenue. The officer determined it was the same suspect attempting to steal a car at knifepoint, and the suspect was apprehended without incident.
Box Butte County Attorney Terry Curtiss is investigating the shooting incident with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol. Lukens notes that body cam footage is available and is expected to be released when Curtiss deems it appropriate. The Alliance Police Department is cooperating with the investigation.
“Police officers have many roles,” Lukens said. “Sometimes we are called upon to act as guardian angels while other times we are warriors fighting to help others. Most of the time we are called to do both and everything in between. Any given day there are differences and this almost superhuman requirement is incumbent upon all police officers. I appreciate the dedication of our officers to be angels and warriors this evening in apprehending a suspect as safely as possible while protecting the citizens of Alliance.”
As of press time, no charges were filed against the suspect.