In the early hours of June 17, 2026, the life of 17-year-old Aung Htoo was tragically cut short in a burst of gun violence in Omaha, Nebraska. The incident, which also left 18-year-old Manish Gurung critically injured, unfolded near North Saddle Creek Road and Hamilton Street. Responding to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:10 a.m., Omaha police discovered both victims near an apartment complex at 48th and Nicholas Streets.
Aung Htoo was pronounced dead at the scene, while Gurung was rushed to the Nebraska Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, though he was ultimately expected to survive. The Omaha Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation into what they believed was an act of gang-related violence.
The investigation swiftly led to the apprehension of two teenage suspects. Eighteen-year-old Gaydohnay De and 17-year-old Peaceful Say were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. Prosecutors alleged that De and Say orchestrated an "ambush-style attack" by providing the firearms used to shoot at the car occupied by Htoo and Gurung. Initially, De faced a charge of first-degree murder, but this was later amended to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to discharge a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Say was also charged in connection with the shooting. During a court appearance, a judge denied bail for Gaydohnay De, and it was noted that the juveniles who allegedly received the guns from the suspects had been previously prohibited from possessing firearms.
The death of Aung Htoo was one of several violent incidents that occurred on what was described as a "tough day in Omaha," a day that saw a total of six deaths and prompted a response from the city's leadership. Police Chief Todd Schmaderer acknowledged the significant impact of the violence on the local Asian community, noting that three of the day's victims were of Asian descent. In an effort to address community concerns and ensure a thorough investigation, the police department assigned Karen-speaking officers to the case. The broader case context highlighted a day of tragic violence in Omaha, with the shooting of Aung Htoo and Manish Gurung being a focal point of the community's grief and law enforcement's response. The subsequent arrests of Gaydohnay De and Peaceful Say marked the beginning of the legal proceedings, with the case moving into the court system to address the charges of conspiracy and the provision of weapons that led to a young man's death and another's serious injury.
