(Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — At approximately 7:26 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, a 26-year-old female made a 911 call to the dispatch center and stated that her ex-boyfriend was chasing her in a vehicle. The suspect was shooting at the vehicle she was in, near the 1100 block of W. 21st Street in Kearney. She was the passenger in the vehicle being shot at and another male subject was driving.
They drove directly to the Kearney/Buffalo County Law Enforcement Center where they were met by KPD Officers. It was discovered the male driver had suffered a gunshot wound to his arm. The 36-year-old male driver was taken to a hospital to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury. The female passenger did not receive any injuries and identified the suspect as her ex-boyfriend, Remberto Marroquin Jr. The suspect fled in his vehicle, prior to the victim arriving at the Law Enforcement Center, and was not immediately located.
Officers were able to determine that multiple shots began near the area of the 1100 block of W. 21st Street. The shots were fired at the vehicle while the suspect was chasing them at a high rate of speed as it continued eastbound on 21st Street, crossing 2nd Avenue, on the way to the Law Enforcement Center.
The suspect was identified as Remberto Marroquin Jr., age 36 of Kearney. Multiple KPD Officers, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Nebraska State Patrol were called out to assist in searching for Marroquin Jr. to help ensure community safety and assist in locating the suspect. Information was obtained that led officers to the suspects location near the 400 block of E 8th Street in South Kearney. The Kearney/Buffalo County Emergency Services Unit (E.S.U.) was activated and responded to that location where they were able to take the suspect into custody at approximately 11:30am on December 6th, without incident. At no time during this incident were any shots fired by and Law Enforcement Agencies.
Officers obtained a Buffalo County arrest warrant for Marroquin Jr. and he was jailed for: 1st Degree Assault (Class II Felony), Use of a Firearm to Commit a Felony (Class IC Felony), and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, (Class ID Felony). Mr. Marroquin Jr. was identified as the lone suspect and he has been apprehended.
There is no danger to the public at this time related to this event. Kearney Police Department continues to investigate this incident and will likely continue to have a noticeable presence in multiple areas of the community while several scenes are being processed, and information is being obtained. We want to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this investigation: Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, South Central Area Law Enforcement Group (S.C.A.L.E.S.), Good Samaritan EMS & Emergency Department, and the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.
Due to multiple shots being fired during this incident, residents in the area are asked to check their property for any damage caused by stray bullets. If damage is located, please report the damage to the Kearney Police Department, (308) 237-2104. We would also ask that anyone with information or video from this area, please contact Investigator Hawkins at the Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104, Buffalo County Crimestoppers at (308) 237-3424, or by using the See Something Send Something App. We would also like to thank the citizens of Kearney for their continued support and their cooperation in this investigation.
