Man wounded in New Year’s Eve shootout takes plea deal


ST PAUL, NE (Omaha World-Herald News Source) – A Broken Bow man wounded during a New Year’s Eve shootout with central Nebraska law officers has taken a plea deal.

Howard County District Court records say 30-year-old Luke Lefever pleaded no contest Monday to attempted murder. Prosecutors dropped three other charges in exchange. A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

Authorities say Lefever fired a handgun at a sheriff’s deputy on New Year’s Eve during a traffic stop on Nebraska Highway 11 near Elba. Lefever fled in a sheriff’s vehicle. After a second exchange of gunfire, Lefever fled on foot and later was found in a creek bed.

Lefever was suffering from hypothermia and a gunshot wound to his left forearm. No one else was hurt.

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