Shooting at Local Motel

On September 17, 2022, at 11:28 p.m., The Lincoln County 911 Center received a report of a gunshot victim at the Welcome Inn on U.S. Highway 30, just west of North Platte, NE. Additionally, the report indicated the person who shot the individual was still on scene.

Deputies and North Platte Rescue arrived on scene and located a twenty-six year old male subject with a single gunshot to the chest. The subject was transported to Great Plains Health, then flown to University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for treatment. The subject is reported to be in serious but stable condition.

The shooter was identified as a sixty-six-year-old male, with many serious medical conditions. The elderly male lives at the motel. The elderly male was visibly shaken by the event and taken to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

Investigators learned the two men were friends and had eaten a late dinner together. The younger male began to drink heavily and was asked to leave by the elderly male. An argument began, repeatedly the younger male was asked to leave. The younger male began to threaten the elderly male he was going to kill him and displayed a knife. The elderly male feared for his life and shot the younger male with a handgun he had.

Although the investigation continues in this event, it seemed clear to all investigators the elderly male acted in self-defense. The elderly male was returned to his room and no charges will be filed.