ARLINGTON, NEBRASKA, UPDATED 11:21 AM, JANUARY 7, 2025 – OMAHA MAN CHARGED AFTER SHOOTOUT WITH DEPUTIES IN ARLINGTON
ARLINGTON SHOOTING QUICK FACTS
When: Monday, January 6, 2025, 2:07 PM Where: 100 West Eagle Street, Arlington, Nebraska Who: David Boettcher, 48, of Omaha
What Happened:
- Deputies stop Jeep Cherokee, arrest female driver
- Boettcher (passenger with assault warrant) refuses cooperation
- Exits vehicle and fires at deputies, who return fire
- Suspect wounded, continues resisting during aid attempts
- 1-year-old in vehicle unharmed, now in protective custody
Current Status:
- Suspect at UNMC with non-life-threatening injuries
- Weapon recovered from scene
- NSP conducting investigation
FULL STORY
The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred during a Monday afternoon traffic stop in Arlington, leaving one man injured and three patrol vehicles damaged.
David Boettcher, 48, of Omaha, is hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident that began, according to NSP, “at approximately 2:07 p.m.” when a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Jeep Cherokee near 100 West Eagle Street.
Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson confirmed the stop was initiated after “deputies thought they recognized the driver as someone with a suspended license.”
“During the traffic stop, the vehicle was occupied by a female driver, male passenger, and a 1-year-old child,” the NSP statement detailed. Deputies arrested the driver for driving under suspension and transported her to Washington County Jail.
The situation escalated when deputies discovered Boettcher had “an active felony warrant for assault” and was armed. “Preliminary investigation shows that Boettcher refused to cooperate with deputies and deputies became aware that Boettcher was in possession of a firearm,” NSP reported.
“After several minutes, Boettcher exited the passenger side of the vehicle and began firing shots toward the deputies,” the NSP statement continued. “Multiple deputies returned fire, striking the suspect.”
A witness, filming from a nearby business, described the scene: “I was honestly scared just a little bit, we were standing right at our main door less than 30 feet from us. It was a clear glass door. He kept kinda looking at us.”
Video footage obtained by WOWT shows “the suspect jump out of the vehicle, fire at authorities, and run off as they returned fire.” The gunfire struck three patrol vehicles, which WCSO confirmed are now out of service.
“Deputies then attempted to render aid to Boettcher, who continued resisting,” NSP reported. A state trooper arrived to assist with taking Boettcher into custody. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered from the scene.
The 1-year-old child, whose relationship to either the driver or Boettcher has not been confirmed by authorities, was unharmed and has been placed in protective care.
Three Washington County deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting. “The Washington County Sheriff’s Office requested the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the incident. That investigation is ongoing,” the NSP statement concluded.
Boettcher was initially transported to a Fremont hospital before being airlifted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for surgery.
Sources: Nebraska State Patrol official statement, WOWT-TV, KETV-TV, and information confirmed through anonymous local sources.
Sources: Nebraska State Patrol official statement, WOWT-TV, KETV-TV, and information confirmed through anonymous local sources.
