Lincoln Police make an arrest in two cases where shots were fire at vehicles.
The first happened on September 24th just before 5 p.m. Police were called to 12th and F by a man who said he was sitting in a vehicle when someone drove by fired 3 to 4 shots and drove off. The vehicle came back around and another 5 to 6 shots were fired, hitting two of his vehicles. The man was hit with what he believed was shrapnel in the arm that left minor injuries. Officers spoke with witnesses and were able to get a suspect vehicle description and a license plate number.
Investigators identified the suspect then as 21 year old Ayezayah Buckhalter.
Buckhalter was contacted on September 29th as he was in a vehicle identified as being involved in the shooting in the area of 27th and Cornhusker on Monday at 9 p.m. That vehicle was the same one used in the case. Investigators served a search warrant on the vehicle and located .556 spent shell casings that would be used in an AR style rifle. Investigators learned that Buckhalter’s associate, 19 year old Dominick Rates had bought a .556 rifle in late June and Buckhalter had barrowed it at the time of the shooting. Buckhalter was arrested for discharge of a firearm near a vehicle or building and use of a weapon to commit a felony on September 29th.
Rates was taken into custody at his home and was arrested for accessory to felony. The rifle believed to be used was recovered at Rates’ home.
Regarding the shooting Monday at 27th and Cornhusker, Buckhalter was contacted at his vehicle that had broken down shortly after shots were fired. He was interviewed by police and his vehicle was processed for evidence. Buckhalter was arrested that day for outstanding warrants without incident. On September 29th, just before 6 p.m., Buckhalter was arrested for accessory to a felony
Regarding the shooting that occurred on September 28th just before 9pm in the area of N 27th and Cornhusker, Buckhalter was contacted at his vehicle that had broken down shortly after the shooting. He was interviewed by police and his vehicle was processed for evidence. Buckhalter was arrested that day for outstanding warrants without incident. On September 29th just before 6 pm, Buckhalter was arrested for Accessory to a Felony for his involvement in this shooting.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call Lincoln Police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.