An investigation into the shooting of a Lincoln police officer during a disturbance has found that the gunshot came from another officer’s weapon, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
Officer Joshua Atkinson, 36, was shot in the leg early Saturday after being called to investigate a man wielding a knife near 48th and High Streets. The 10-year veteran underwent surgery on Saturday and remains at Bryan West Medical Center, police said.
Officer Kyle Russell, 25, was released from the hospital Sunday after being treated for a stab wound to his upper right chest. Police said Russell, a two-year veteran, was stabbed above his protective vest.
Christopher Brennauer, 43, who is accused of stabbing Russell and causing the disturbance, remains hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the shoulder. Brennauer has not been charged in connection with this incident.
Preliminary information indicates that Russell was stabbed by Brennauer during a struggle in the apartment about 2:50 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said. Russell then fired his gun, striking both Brennauer and Atkinson.
Russell’s gun is the only firearm to have been discharged during the incident, according to the preliminary report.
Brennauer has a lengthy criminal history that includes a conviction for first-degree sexual assault in 1996.
The incident is being investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at the request of the police department. A separate internal investigation is being conducted by police to ensure proper procedures were followed.
