(GOTHENBURG, Neb.) — The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office is providing an updated media release stemming from an incident that previously occurred during the evening hours of Monday, April 8, 2024, as additional information has become available.
On April 8, 2024, at approximately 8:47pm, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was advised to watch for a Toyota Camry holding a specific Indiana license plate that was possibly traveling westbound on Interstate 80 in Dawson County, Nebraska. This vehicle was reportedly occupied by Linden M. Long, 22, of Wisconsin, who had an active federal felony arrest warrant for Bank Robbery and was listed as possibly armed and dangerous.
Dawson County deputies located the vehicle and conducted a felony traffic stop where the vehicle came to rest at the westbound Gothenburg Interstate 80 offramp. The deputies found that the driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as being Long, was non-compliant with verbal commands and refused to exit the vehicle. Negotiations with Long were initiated, however he fled the interchange in the vehicle and proceeded to the 300 block of Platte River Road in Gothenburg where the vehicle came to a stop at a dead end.
Deputies exited their patrol units when they heard a single gunshot that came from the inside of the vehicle occupied by Long. The vehicle then aggressively accelerated through a metal panel marking the end of the road and came to rest after striking a tree. Emergency Medical Services were contacted and placed on standby until the vehicle could be cleared by law enforcement. It was then found by law enforcement on scene that Long suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and a firearm was also discovered inside the vehicle.
He was transported by Gothenburg Fire/Rescue Department to the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital where he was later transferred to CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
South Central Area Law Enforcement Services was contacted by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office to investigate further. Long passed away on Saturday, April 13**, 2024, while at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
(WELLINGTON, Colo.) — I-25 was the scene of a wild and tragic high-speed pursuit that ended in suicide.
A homicide suspect took his own life after eluding multiple law enforcement agencies on Saturday morning.
On April 13, 2024, around 2:00 a.m., Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received an interagency notification about an armed suspect driving toward Colorado from Cheyenne. Wyoming authorities had located the man, who was wanted for a recent homicide and domestic violence case in South Dakota. When law enforcement tried to contact him in his pickup truck, the suspect drove south on I-25 and eluded officers.
Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers prepared to deploy tire spikes near the Buckeye exit in Colorado. The suspect shot at law enforcement and continued traveling south at high speeds. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies ultimately performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) to stop the vehicle just south of the Highway 1/Wellington exit. The man stayed inside the truck, and before they could contact him, he shot himself. Law enforcement ensured the scene was safe, then began performing lifesaving measures on the suspect. UCHealth EMS crews arrived and continued first aid efforts, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A handgun was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle. Law enforcement did not fire any weapons during this incident, and no other injuries have been reported. The suspect was the only person in the vehicle. Southbound I-25 was closed at the Wellington exit for approximately 5 hours while investigators processed the scene. The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Cheyenne Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol were all involved during this incident.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation involving an armed suspect with a disturbing disregard for public safety,” said LCSO Lt. Troy Badberg. “Dispatchers, investigators, and peace officers across multiple states worked together quickly and did everything they could to prevent harm to innocent people.”
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the Wyoming/Colorado incident, in cooperation with local agencies and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. The Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity at a later time.
Anybody with information about the Wyoming/Colorado incident, who hasn’t already spoken with law enforcement, may contact LCSO Investigator Tyler Thomas at (970) 498-5167. People with information or inquiries about the South Dakota case may contact Communications Director Tony Mangan at the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office at (605) 773-6878.
Title by Digging Deeper Media, post from Midwest Media by Melanie, shared with permission. We are working together to help find a solution to the mental health crisis in our communities.
Our prayers are with the family and friends and counselors and everyone who came into contact with Jeremy.
We are all truly blessed by being able to share Melanie’s writings. She is an honest, aggressive investigator and a compassionate writer. Please read to the end, where she shares her feelings on being a news reporter. We share her same thoughts, which is another reason why we are working together.
His name was Jeremy, and he was 45 years old. He was a real person struggling with real problems. I’m told he was a nice man who helped others when asked, even though ongoing mental health issues kept him from succeeding in life like society expects.
But he was doing the best he could with what life dealt him.
Mental health illness kept him from a healthy family relationship with his own family for over 8 years. It kept him from owning his own home and other simple things many people may not think much about. But he worked hard – holding down a modest job pre, post, and during the pandemic. And now he is gone without leaving much of a noticeable mark, so it seems.
His guardian called his mom after he died. The neighborhood was shocked. It made the news because he died outside. There is an autopsy everyone is curious about.
The curiosity, I hope, goes deeper. It goes beyond this sad death and goes into the heart of how easily this could impact any one of us or one of our own loved ones. The forgotten people with broken parts that can’t be easily fixed. Even a heart or lung or kidney can be replaced in a desperate attempt to save a life, but a mental health illness consumes a person forever, sometimes until the person cannot be recognized anymore, or – yes – until they die.
Jeremy’s life should be remembered. I know people were upset when I shared a picture Sunday of the coroner “leaving the scene” of where he was staying. I wish I could explain why I believe that it was important to share. I wish I could help people understand my reasoning. Jeremy’s life on earth is over, and now people notice. Did anyone notice his torture or struggle before it ended?
The lyrics of a song were shared with me for Jeremy and others like him (if you’ve made it this far into the post). I’ll share the words at the bottom. This is what it was like for him, and what it is still now for the others who are being cared for in communities like these where Jeremy was being transitioned from assisted living to living on his own.
These are just some thoughts I had about all of this:
****** It is a devastating situation when a person dies suddenly. No one is expecting a 45-year-old’s life to end suddenly, without warning, and without explanation. It may be even sadder when that person is alone and struggling with a mental illness.
We are all in a place post pandemic where everything is different somehow, and we are all a little wiser to the sensitivities of our own mental health. Being shut down for almost two years did a number on the mental-healthiest of us.
But there are people who really struggle. From the “lesser” mental health issues (while none of them feel “less” when they are happening) to the extreme. From mild anxiety to severe depression, chemical imbalances, schizophrenia, or recovering from mental or physical abuse, or drug addiction. No one can really judge another person’s journey with one conversation, glance, or news story. And certainly no one but God can judge in death. Even this reporter is guilty of knowing this and sharing news stories about people with real lives and problems, and forgetting to truly empathize with the real people attached.
And so it is with that heart that I write this. And know that I am so very sorry for this situation.
When a person is released from a psychiatric unit, a rehab facility, or even prison due to mental health related issues, the reentry into a stable life is a slow process. Some are lucky to have people who work hard to help them along the way.
The seemingly impossible hurdles those with mental health issues face while trying to connect with family and friends, continue treatment, work a job, and try to be a contributing part of society are real. The people who live in these communities are trying to overcome more than we can imagine, all while trying to continue the daily tasks we all face.
SONG LYRICS
“Escaping Shadows” Running through the darkness, heart pounding in my chest Silent screams inside my mind, I’m trying my best
Paranoia closing in, every step I take Whispers of doubt and fear, won’t give me a break
[Verse 2] Lost in a maze of thoughts, trapped in my own head Searching for the light, a way out I haven’t tread
Every corner holds a demon, every shadow, a doubt But I won’t let them win, I’ll find my own way out
[Chorus] But now I’m rising, oh, I’m breaking free Heavens gates open, salvation I see No more fighting, the battle’s finally won Mental illness claimed another, but my spirit lives on
We have previously examined this rate from 2011 to 2015, but the above chart updates that data from 2016 to 2020. The FBI only has firearm murder data up through 2020. The average over the last five years is 67%, down slightly from the five-year average from 2011 to 2015, which was 70 percent.
This is important because the assumption is that all these lives will be saved if you get rid of guns. Most tellingly, gun bans may lower firearm suicides, but they don’t change total suicides.
When you have people on the ground who are willing to work hard at getting the story, you don’t have to wait days or weeks for the official press release, or for that call back that never comes.
When I was as on scene in Wood River, Nebraska on Saturday, a big track hoe moved onto the scene. It rolled in and removed two trees out of its way. A fire fighter walked across the street directly toward me and strongly suggested I leave due to the next steps to be preformed. I’m very respectful of fire fighters.
When he told me they wanted me for a press conference I was not stupid but I honored their request. I left, knowing full well they were likely removing a body from the house that exploded earlier in the day. I show respect. It’s what I do.
And I interviewed the emergency manager for Hall County and Grand Island and left my phone number.
They have not returned the show of respect by contacting me, but that is okay.
Regardless, now I am learning that evidence is showing the natural gas line was tampered with, and a body was indeed removed from the ruble at the home explosion.
I have been in contact with family members of the home owner and my deepest sympathies are with them. I hope everyone is being kind to them. What a tragedy for everyone.
JANUARY 29, 2024 (FREMONT, NEB.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident during which a Fremont man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during an interaction with Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Sunday afternoon, deputies were conducting an investigation at a residence in the 2500 block of East 34th Blvd, just outside of Fremont. Deputies attempted to contact the resident, but he initially refused to speak with them. A short time later, another resident allowed the deputies into the home and advised that the subject they were seeking to contact had gone upstairs.
Preliminary investigation shows that before deputies were able to contact the subject, they heard a single gunshot in a room upstairs. Deputies then located the subject inside the room with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to Methodist Fremont Health where he was pronounced deceased.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct an in-custody death investigation. No deputies fired their weapons during this incident and no other injuries occurred. The investigation remains ongoing.
It is with absolute great sadness that we share this story. Our first thoughts and prayers are with Nick’s family and friends and anyone else personally affected by this tragic ending.
This is a story that we saw a couple of days ago from the Nebraska State Patrol. We hesitated to share it since it was out of our immediate area. But the more we thought about it, the more we wanted to post it.
Suicide is real and we know that the issue is not going to get better if we ignore it.
We’ve always been big on mental health awareness. So this morning we were going to share it. Then, we saw the update on this post. 😞
UPDATE
The following updated details from the NSP were shared by Platte Valley Media for the purpose of bringing more awareness in an attempt to create solutions to this growing problem.
The point of this news post is to raise awareness about suicide and to check up on others.
Nick Whitaker took to social media to post his thoughts shortly before he took his own life. His post can be found below ⬇️
“This is just a general announcement so no one has to find out way late, right after I post this I’ll be popping myself in the head with my pistol. I’m 100% sober writing this but will be getting shitty drunk so I don’t hesitate when I decide its time. More than likely around 4ish. 1 don’t wanna say just the last 3-4 months have caused this by themselves but those 3-4 months for sure influenced my decision today. To sum everything up and give a level headed answer as to why; I don’t got anymore fight left in me.
Genuinely, I’m beat to shit mentally and I’m not pulling through with this one. I’m not strong enough to keep up like this and I’m to messed up in the head to fix anything about it(trust me, I’ve been trying since I’ve been on my own). Until next time homies, hope yall do well in life and find the happiness you deserve. I’ll be rooting for yall wherever the afterlife takes me.
P.S. one last pic for everyone to remember me by, I wanted to enjoy my last few minutes and a beer and smoke suited my needs perfectly.”
End of post.
ORIGINAL POST shared to us from the Nebraska State Patrol ⬇️
NSP Investigating Death in David City
JANUARY 24, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident during which a subject died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while talking with law enforcement officers in David City.
The incident occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:10 p.m., when David City officers and Butler County deputies were called to a report of a suicidal party at a residence in the 200 block of N. 4th Street in David City. The subject was located on a back porch of the residence and was observed with a handgun. A trooper also arrived on scene to assist.
After lengthy attempts to convince the subject not to harm himself, the subject fired one shot at himself. Officers immediately provided aid. The subject was transported to Butler County Health Care Center where he was pronounced deceased.
No law enforcement officers were injured in this incident. No officers fired a weapon during the incident. Because the death occurred during an interaction with law enforcement, the Butler County Attorney’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct an in-custody death investigation.
— End of NSP post
Shocking, But There Is Hope
It’s shocking, but as we take in what we just read, we cannot remain in shock. We must do something!
Talk to your friends. See how they’re doing.
Uplift others. You never know when you could have saved a life and not even know it.
Stop complaining about everything you read or hear.
Look for the positive in people, and tell them about it genuinely.
Just be there for a friend and do nothing more than listen.
Stop stigmatizing mental health and drug addiction.
Be an encourager.
Practice random acts of kindness.
Take action today. There are so many things that we can do to make a difference in another person’s life.
October is Depression Education and Awareness Month
Depression is much like the words’ mental health or suicide; it carries a stigma that sometimes gets in the way of a person getting help. The good news is that stigma is fading with increased awareness about mental health and further understanding depression.
In fact, depression actually comes in several forms. You should never be embarrassed or down on yourself if you are feeling this way.
I think most of us, maybe all of us, have been afflicted with situational depression at one point in our life.
And that, my friend, I believe, is the really good news! Situational means temporary, and temporary means this too shall pass.
Pastor Bob McCartney from First Baptist Church Wichita Falls did an excellent job on Sunday explaining the differences, and offered some solutions.
If anyone is interested, we have a special tab above for Sermon Series. For now, here’s the clip we are referencing.
You noticed that one of the solutions was to surround yourself with others. Never attempt to do it alone. Here’s a friend of ours with a spoken word about this topic, and then we’ll hear some music from him as well. Here’s Tom MacDonald.
[Tom MacDonald – Not Alone video]
With mental health, there can be many highs and lows. And sometimes you just have to put on paper or into music. Just what you’re feeling, at least that’s what Tom does.
Here’s a powerful statement about those thoughts that go through your head when you’re in recovery, but still having doubts.
[Withdrawals video]
But Tom is a fighter who has now helped hundreds of others with the struggles of depression.
If you are struggling with depression in any form please seek out a friend or someone you trust.
