ASHLAND, Neb. (WOWT) – The Saunders County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect and victim of a homicide that happened in Ashland on Thursday afternoon.
Robert Haswell Jr., 31, of Ashland, was taken into custody and booked into jail for first-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
The victim has been identified as Robert Haswell Sr., 67, of Ashland. He was shot at least once and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to investigators.
Authorities said they received a report of a shooting at 4:34 p.m. in the 1700 block of Dawes Street.
“After negotiating on the phone with the caller and suspect in the incident, the suspect came outside unarmed and was taken into custody by Ashland Police officers,†per a statement from the sheriff's office.
Ashland Police, Saunders County Sheriff's Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to the scene.
Several neighbors said they were taken aback by the sirens and police cars running through the neighborhood.
The incident was initially reported as an emergency situation on Thursday evening, with authorities asking people to stay away from the area while noting there was no ongoing threat to the public.
“Shock to my core. Doesn't happen here. This is a beautiful community. Knowing it happened here is a shock. I'm numb knowing it happened here,†said Jason, who lives just down the block.
Jason said this community opened their arms to him when he and his family were homeless and helped him find a place to stay and brought furniture for his home.
He said it's sad to see such a big police presence in an area he's felt so safe in.
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