Nyandeng Chol, 19, also known as Brianna, died Tuesday evening after being shot near North 46th Street and Madison Avenue in Lincoln, Nebraska, according to the Lincoln Police Department. Tyler Benzel, 37, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Investigators say the shooting followed an altercation involving Benzel’s wife, Chol, and others. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What began as a call about a disturbance involving juveniles in a normally quiet northeast Lincoln neighborhood ended, just moments later, with a single gunshot and a 19-year-old woman dead.
What Police Say Happened
According to the Lincoln Police Department, officers responded around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a disturbance involving juveniles near North 47th Street and Cleveland Avenue, close to Huntington Elementary School. Several people involved, including Chol, ran from the area as officers arrived.
While officers were speaking with people who remained at the scene, they heard a single gunshot about a block away, near North 46th Street and Madison Avenue. Officers arrived within moments and found Chol suffering from a gunshot wound. They provided emergency medical treatment before she was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. An autopsy is pending.
How the Altercation Escalated
According to LPD Capt. Ben Miller, the confrontation began when a verbal and physical altercation broke out involving Benzel’s wife, Chol, and other individuals. Miller said Benzel’s wife may have initiated the fight, telling the group to leave and yelling threats; no charges have been filed against her, and she has not been arrested in connection with the incident.
Around the same time, Miller said, Benzel left his home and followed the group away from the residence. Investigators allege Benzel told the group to leave and made verbal threats before raising a firearm and firing a single shot at Chol.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun in connection with the investigation, though forensic testing is still needed to confirm whether that weapon was the one used in the shooting. Police say Benzel was cooperative when officers arrived, and he was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. As with any criminal charge, this remains an allegation, and Benzel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
A Neighborhood in Shock
Residents described the area as one of the last places they expected something like this to happen. A neighbor shared Ring camera footage with a local reporter that clearly captured the gunshot, followed by screams.
“It’s just sickening. Like it just hurts our stomach,” said Jurissa Cutshall, who lives nearby. “She was 19. She had so much life to live.”
Others echoed that disbelief. “I think we have a friendly neighborhood. People look out for each other,” said Mike Michel, a resident of the area. “We just feel so bad for the families — all involved.”
How to Help
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-6000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600, online at lincolncrimestoppers.com, or through the free P3 app.
