The Nebraska State Patrol is able to release additional information regarding an ongoing investigation into a shooting that occurred Wednesday morning in rural Cedar County, north of Hartington.
The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a shooting shortly after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. They responded to the scene, which was a tower work site near the intersection of Highway 57 and 885 Road, approximately two miles north of Hartington. Several crew members working on the tower were present at the time of the shooting. Other crew members attempted life-saving measures on the victim.
The victim was transported to the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton where he succumbed to his injuries. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct the homicide investigation.
Preliminarily, investigators believe that the shooting occurred during a workplace argument between the suspect and the victim. The suspect, identified as David Phillips, 20, of Kenner, Louisiana, has been lodged in the Cedar County Jail for second degree murder, possession of a stolen firearm, and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
The investigation remains ongoing. The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time pending notification of family. NSP is still working to locate family for the victim.