Lincoln Police have arrested three people following an overnight shooting and pursuit that began with an argument outside an apartment building. LPD Public Information manager Erika Thomas says officers were on an unrelated call near Portia and Knox Streets just before midnight Sunday when they heard gunshots.
Thomas says at the same time, 911 callers reported that two men had fired shots at an apartment building before leaving in a black vehicle. “Officers saw a black sedan leaving the area and attempted a traffic stop,” Thomas says. The 2017 Hyundai Sonata sped away from cruisers, running multiple red lights and driving recklessly.”
Thomas says a short time later, it hit a construction barrier and wrecked near 48th and Cornhusker in a construction area, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and a traffic barrier. Three people then fled on foot.
Thomas says with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol AirWing and a Lincoln Police K-9, officers eventually arrested 19-year-old Aris Phillips and 20-year-old Owen Kazena, both of Lincoln, along with the driver,23-year-old Raven Pierson of Omaha.
Police say Pierson briefly escaped custody after being handcuffed and later kicked an officer while resisting arrest. Investigators say she was intoxicated, with a preliminary breath test showing a blood alcohol content of .019
The investigation determined the three suspects had been involved in a verbal dispute with people inside the apartment building before multiple shots were fired. Officers recovered several shell casings from the parking lot. No injuries were reported.
Phillips faces felony charges including discharging a firearm near a building and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Kazena is charged with aiding and abetting the shooting, while Pierson faces multiple charges, including operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, assault on an officer, escape, resisting arrest, and DUI.
Pierson Kazena Phillips
(Photos: LSO )