Blair’s Tragic Morning: A Deeper Look into the Crime That Shook Our Town

(This is an evolving story and facts may change. We will update as more information is known). Also, this crime comes just weeks after our survey of Blair residents on gun-control, and our interview with school board officials about gun violence in school. We believe it is vital for all Blair residents to consider the issues at hand because it is clear that “it” can certainly happen here.

A quiet Friday morning in Blair, Nebraska, turned deadly when a man was shot and killed, and a woman injured in a residential area near the high school. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Elijah Logan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is currently at large, prompting a multi-agency manhunt.

Here are the facts as understood at the time of writing this article:

• The suspect, 22-year-old Elijah Logan, is accused of shooting and killing a man and injuring a woman on Friday morning in Blair.
• The incident took place near N 10th and Park streets around 6:30 a.m.
• The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman, who was shot in both legs, was transported to a local hospital. Her condition isn’t known at the time of the report.
• An infant present in the house remained unharmed.
• The suspect, Elijah Logan, is believed to be the father of the infant.
• Elijah Logan is from Council Bluffs and fled the scene in a green 1988 Jeep Cherokee with Iowa plate NAM 032.
• Logan is described as being 5-foot-9 and weighing 175 pounds.
• Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Metro Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshalls, are involved in the search for Logan.
• The Blair police are requesting assistance from the public, especially those with surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the crime scene.
• Blair Community Schools was in secure protocol due to the proximity of the incident, but the school was not directly involved.

When you live in Blair, you do not expect to see the words “Blair” and “Manhunt” in the same sentence.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., Blair police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Park Street following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered a male victim, Jordan Ely, dead at the scene. A female victim, Sam Ely, had been shot in both legs and was transported to a local hospital. Her condition remains unknown.

Interestingly, an infant in the residence escaped harm. According to the family’s account, the suspect, Elijah Logan, is the father of the infant. They recalled a tragic narrative of heroism, revealing that Jordan Ely died trying to protect his sister, Sam Ely, and his nephew from gunfire.

Please lift the Ely family up in prayers. As a community let’s gather around them and protect them. God, we ask that you bring them comfort, strength, peace and justice. In Jesus name we pray to you. Amen.

From a Blair Resident on Facebook

The crime scene suggested a calculated attack. Authorities surmise that Logan parked some distance away, snuck between houses, and entered the residence. His intention, they believe, was to kill the occupants inside. This has not only unsettled the immediate family, who are grappling with their loss, but also disturbed the wider Blair community.

In the wake of the incident, Blair police issued an arrest warrant for Logan. He is described as 5-foot-9, weighing 175 pounds, and was seen fleeing the scene in a green 1988 Jeep Cherokee with Iowa plate NAM 032. This information has been circulated to the public in the hope of aiding his apprehension.

The ensuing manhunt has involved the Metro Fugitive Task Force, several local law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Marshals. The search for Logan extends beyond Nebraska, considering his Council Bluffs, Iowa residence.

Blair Community Schools, due to their proximity to the crime scene, went into secure protocol as a safety precaution. In a statement, Superintendent Dr. Randall Gilson affirmed that while the exterior and interior doors would be locked, students and staff could access the buildings, and outdoor activities would be held indoors. Parents were also informed that attendance was optional.

Despite this, the school district wanted to clear up misinformation. “The high school is not involved in any way,” they stated. The secure mode was implemented strictly because of the proximity to the crime scene, not due to a direct threat to the school.

In their quest for justice, authorities are seeking the public’s help. Investigators are specifically appealing to residents with exterior surveillance camera systems near the crime scene to come forward.

There are three key points about this alleged crime which may be important:

1. The Deliberate Nature of the Crime: From the details provided, it appears that the crime was not a random act of violence but a premeditated attack. The suspect, Elijah Logan, is said to have parked away from the house, suggesting a calculated approach to the crime. This could potentially indicate a personal motive, which is further supported by the fact that he was identified as the father of the unharmed infant at the scene.
2. The Role of Surveillance Systems in Investigation: The authorities’ specific appeal to residents with external surveillance camera systems emphasizes the increasing role of such technology in modern criminal investigations. Footage from nearby surveillance systems could provide crucial insights into the suspect’s escape route and possibly help in locating him.
3. The Impact on Local Schools and Community: Even though the incident happened in a residential area and did not directly involve the local high school, the school had to go into secure protocol due to its proximity to the crime scene. The statement from the superintendent, allowing optional attendance and implementing a secure protocol, highlights how such incidents can disrupt not just the immediate families involved but also the wider community, affecting routines and instilling fear.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Blair Police Department at 402-426-4747. If Elijah Logan or the vehicle is spotted, the public is instructed to call 911 immediately.

Sources: KETV, WOWT, KMTV, Enterprise Publishing