Second suspect has died; Sheriff provides further details on Saturday shooting

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A second suspect has died as a result of a deadly shootout with police on Saturday.

26-year-old Christian Alexander of Evansville, Wyoming, died Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the specific cause of death. 30-year-old Hailey Stainbrook of Casper, Wyoming, died Saturday as a result of her injuries.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office says investigators have been in contact with the families of both Alexander and Stainbrook to gather details on the events prior to the shooting.

A Saturday police chase followed an early Saturday morning robbery at a gas station in Lincoln. After a pursuit, two rounds of shooting occurred with shots reportedly fired by both Alexander and Stainbrook.

Authorities say Stainbrook and the victim of the armed robbery had met Friday evening via a social media app and spent time together at the victim’s hotel. Deputies also say that the initial Nebraska State Patrol trooper located the suspects' white Chevy Trailblazer parked in front of a convenience store on Superior Street and pulled his patrol vehicle in behind the trailblazer. They say Stainbrook backed into the patrol vehicle, moving it out of the way, fleeing the scene.

Police reports say the trooper pursued the suspects on Superior Street. At 14th Street, the pursuit went north and at Alvo Road, the Trooper attempted an intervention technique which was not successful.

The suspects then proceeded to the area of N. 56th Street and Arbor Road, where another intervention technique was attempted. At this time, police say, Alexander pointed a handgun out of the window at the trooper. At that time, two NSP troopers and one LPD officer were present, according to the report.

The suspects' vehicle came to rest in the southbound traffic lanes of N. 56th (U.S. 77) below the I-80 bridge. Police say Alexander pointed the handgun at officers and they fired their weapons. They say when the threat from Alexander was over, negotiations began with Stainbrook to have her drop her weapon so officers could provide first aid to Alexander. Deputies say those negotiations lasted approximately seven minutes which ended when Stainbrook pointed her weapon at officers. Police reports say that a trooper then fired his weapon at Stainbrook. As soon as that threat was over, deputies say, officers provided first aid to both suspects.

Ballistic and forensic evidence is being examined to determine which of the suspects may have fired a revolver recovered from the vehicle. The revolver had live rounds and a fired round in the weapon. Another semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the Trailblazer. They say the weapon was a .177 cal. Pellet pistol, a Sig Sauer lookalike.

In consultation with the Lancaster County Attorney, the Lancaster County Sheriff's investigation has determined that the officers were legally justified in using deadly force against both suspects.  

The Nebraska State Patrol will be releasing a statement regarding the Troopers’ involvement in this incident.