Lincoln Police have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Lincoln woman Tuesday night. Tyler Benzel of Lincoln was booked into the Lancaster County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony.
LPD Captain Ben Miller, who oversees the department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, says investigators conducted multiple interviews and reviewed home security video before making the arrest. Miller says the chain of events began around 7:20 p.m., when officers responded to a disturbance involving juveniles near North 47th Street and Cleveland Avenue.
“Officers contacted some of those involved, while others ran from the area, including the victim,” Miller says. About 15 minutes later, while officers were still interviewing people at the original scene, they heard a gunshot about a block away near 46th Street and Madison Avenue.
Miller says the victim and several other people had become involved in another confrontation. Investigators believe Benzel’s wife became involved in a verbal dispute with the group that turned physical. Miller says the group then moved away from Benzel’s residence before the shooting.
According to investigators, Benzel told the group to leave and made verbal threats before raising a gun and firing one shot. Officers arrived within moments and found the woman suffering from a single gunshot wound.
“They immediately began life-saving measures before she was taken to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries,” Miller says. An autopsy will be performed. Police are not releasing the victim’s name to allow time for her loved ones to be notified.
Miller says a 9-millimeter handgun was recovered at the scene, but additional forensic testing is needed before police can determine whether it was the weapon used in the shooting. Investigators believe Benzel and his wife did not know the group involved in the confrontation.
Miller says Benzel was cooperative when officers arrived “There was no sort of altercation with him once the officers arrived at the scene.” Benzel’s wife is not currently facing charges. Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
(Photo: Lancaster County Dep. of Corrections)