JUNIATA, Nebraska -- A Nebraska State Patrol trooper was wounded and a suspect was fatally shot during a standoff early Wednesday morning.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call regarding a man, later identified as 35-year-old Brooks Hacker, discharging a firearm outside a residence in the 500 block of North Brass around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday that was made by a woman who was unable to leave due to the situation, according to a news release.
Troopers joined deputies in responding to the scene and a shelter in place order was issued by Adams County Emergency Management for nearby residents.
Law enforcement officials established a perimeter around the residence, and after approximately 30 minutes after the call was made, the woman was able to escape the area. Troopers then observed many additional gunshots coming from Hacker and the Nebraska State Patrol's SWAT Team was activated. Negotiators made contact with the suspect and continued attempts to negotiate throughout the standoff.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Hacker continued to fire at law enforcement and struck a trooper in the arm with a single gunshot. Paramedics were already on the scene and quickly provided aid to the trooper, who was transported to Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect continued firing at law enforcement and at approximately 2:35 a.m., tear gas was deployed into the residence. Hacker exited the residence holding a firearm and a SWAT Team member discharged his weapon, striking the man, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Luckily they don’t happen every day, but these situations are very serious when they do happen. Especially in this case there was a large danger to the community around this residence,” Capt. Jeff Roby with the Nebraska State Patrol said during a news conference. “In this case it was nice to have the armored vehicles that we were able to bring over from the State Patrol in Hastings to provide some type of armored cover in the area for the residents and also for our troopers and deputies that were responding.”
The wounded trooper has been released from the hospital and the incident is currently under investigation.
