Man arrested in connection homicide; realtors offer safety tips

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a real estate agent who was showing a home he owned in west Omaha, The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

Ross S. Lorello, 43, of La Vista was booked into the Douglas County Jail Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of criminal homicide and use of a firearm to commit a felony, authorities said.

The Omaha World-Herald reported the body of 70-year-old Mickey Sodoro was found Tuesday in the home. He had been missing since Monday night. An autopsy determined Sodoro died from a gunshot wound.

Sodoro’s family had recently purchased the home as a rental property and he was there showing it on Monday, Douglas County authorities said.

Sodoro’s truck was found about half a mile away from the home where his body was discovered.

Realtor Jason Birnstihl gave Omaha station WOWT safety tips for fellow realtors. Those include:

-Arrive early to get the house opened up.
-Keep the buyer in front of you at all times.
-Have a potential escape route.
-Get a copy of the prospective buyer's drivers license beforehand.