Lincoln Police Confirm One in Custody Following Deadly Shooting

By: 10/11 News Team Email

Updated: Thu 6:42 PM, Jul 05, 2012

Killed: Orlando Sifuentez

Injured: Matthew Guerra

In Custody: Robert Robinson

Lincoln police confirm that one man is in custody following a deadly shooting on the 4th of July. Police say 41-year-old Orlando Sifuentez is dead and 18-year-old Matthew Guerra was injured in the late night shooting near 30th and W Streets.

Police say a dispute over a hit and run accident escalated into the deadly shooting.

Lincoln Police Chief Jim Peschong said they responded to a hit and run around 10 p.m. at 2918 Apple Street. Witnesses said an 8-year-old boy was lighting off fireworks in the street when a red car drove by and hit him.

Police said family members then followed the vehicle to a home at 923 North 30th Street a couple blocks away. Police said the group threatened 23-year-old Robert Robinson, who lives at that home.

Neighbors who watched it all unfold say the mother of the child who was hit argued with the driver.

"She [the mother] said you have a price on your head and starts walking off and he pulls out a gun and was like bring it," said neighbor Andrew Gilsdorf.

Police also went to the home to question Robinson but he denied driving the vehicle at all that day.

Police said as many as three men returned around 11:30 p.m. and started shooting at Robinson and the home.

A witness said a dark SUV pulled up in front of the house and at least three people got out and started shooting.

"They get out, start arguing a little more and then shots are fired," said witness Matt Johnson.

Neighbors throughout the block say they ran for cover. Witnesses reported varying amounts of shots were fired, but they said it came from an automatic handgun.

Peschong said they found five bullet holes in the siding of the home. They also recovered an assault rifle that they believe Robinson used to fire back at the men. Police believe the assault rifle was fired at the men and vehicle as man as 8-10 times. Investigators haven't been able to find any other guns used in the shooting.

Police said Sifuentez died from a bullet wound to his chest. Guerra was hospitalized at BryanLGH West with a bullet wound to his calf and is in serious condition.

After the shooting, police said Robinson admitted to hitting something with his car while he drove on the street where the hit and run was reported. He was arrested for Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident, a felony. More charges may be added if police can determine he was the actual shooter.

Police later learned that Sifuentez was the father of the 8-year-old boy who was hit earlier that night.

A large area near 30th and W Streets was blocked off for several hours with crime scene tape.