Crime
John Cyza, 47, Killed in Polk County Homicide; Suspect Nathan Dohmen Fatally Shot by Nebraska State Troopers
POLK COUNTY, Neb. — John Cyza, 47, of rural Duncan, was found dead at his home on Friday morning. Investigators found multiple gunshot wounds on his body. Authorities named Nathan Dohmen, 45, of Clarks, as the suspect in the killing.
The case sparked a search across several counties. The manhunt ended in Butler County, where Nebraska State Patrol troopers shot and killed Dohmen.
Polk County 911 received a call about the shooting. The caller was not involved in the incident but warned authorities that Dohmen might target another person.
Nebraska State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas said investigators identified Dohmen as the suspect. However, he had fled before officers reached Cyza’s home.
Authorities also searched for the person Dohmen might have targeted. Investigators found that individual and confirmed they were safe.
Law enforcement officers searched several counties for Dohmen. The search ended in Butler County when Nebraska State Patrol troopers shot him dead.
Officials have not released further details about the encounter. The available information does not explain what led to the shooting or whether Dohmen posed an immediate threat when troopers confronted him.
Authorities continue to investigate Cyza’s death and the fatal encounter involving Dohmen. Officials have not announced a possible motive for the homicide.
The case involves two deaths. Cyza died from multiple gunshot wounds at his home in Polk County. Troopers later shot and killed Dohmen in Butler County.
Investigators have not released further details about either incident. Authorities may provide more information as the investigation progresses.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jaxon Trew Bearden, 21, of Alabaster, was killed in a shooting in west Birmingham on Saturday night, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. A woman was also wounded in the incident, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:14 p.m. in the 2400 block of Avenue B. Birmingham police responded after the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system alerted authorities to possible gunfire in the area.
Investigators collected evidence at the scene as officers worked to establish what led to the shooting. Police later took two people into custody while the investigation continued.
Police Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said officers were alerted to the shooting through the ShotSpotter system. Officers responded to the 2400 block of Avenue B, where they began investigating the reported gunfire.
Investigators placed at least 20 evidence markers in the roadway. The markers indicated that officers were documenting potential evidence connected to the incident.
Authorities have not released further details about what happened before the shooting. The available information also does not explain whether the people involved knew one another or what may have led to the gunfire.
Bearden, 21, was transported to UAB Hospital for emergency medical treatment. According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, he was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m.
A woman who was also wounded in the shooting arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle. Sgt. Wade said her injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Officials have not released the woman’s identity or provided additional information about the circumstances in which she was injured.
Officers from Birmingham’s North and South precincts later took two people into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation. Both individuals were being held at the city jail for 48 hours, according to the information provided.
Authorities have not announced criminal charges or publicly detailed the roles of the two individuals. Their detention does not, by itself, establish guilt.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bearden’s death and the woman’s injuries. Investigators are working to determine what led to the shooting and whether additional action will follow.
Further details about the incident may become available as the investigation progresses.