Esteban Garcia, an 82-year-old male resident of Bellevue, Nebraska, is remembered by those who knew him as a kind and loving man. His life was brought to a sudden and violent end in the driveway of his own home, leaving his family and community to grapple with the senseless loss.
The evening of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, was shattered by the sound of gunfire in a quiet neighborhood west of Highway 75.
At approximately 9:09 p.m., the Bellevue Police Department received calls reporting a shooting and dispatched officers to a home in the 2200 block of Whitted Drive, near 24th Street. When they arrived, they found Esteban Garcia lying in his driveway. He had been shot multiple times in the torso.
Emergency personnel from the Bellevue Fire Department were on the scene and immediately began administering lifesaving measures. Mr. Garcia was transported by rescue squad to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is a residential area located just west of Offutt Air Force Base.
The man suspected of the shooting was still at the scene when police arrived. Officers encountered 23-year-old Cody Simons, and a tense standoff followed. A neighbor’s doorbell camera and witness cell phone videos captured the dramatic moments as police worked to take Simons into custody. The footage showed Simons standing next to his car, which was parked with its hazard lights flashing. He appeared to be waiting for the police to arrive.
During the confrontation, officers repeatedly shouted orders at Simons to get on the ground. In the video, Simons could be heard telling officers what was in his hand. An officer asked, “What’s in your right hand?” Simons replied, “A Budweiser you [expletive] idiot, I got my .38 right there,” indicating a handgun was near his car. Another officer is heard telling him, “Cody, stop talking.” Throughout the encounter, which lasted several minutes, Simons showed signs of mental distress. To subdue him and bring the standoff to an end, officers deployed 43 pepper balls before they could take him into custody.
The Bellevue Police Department led the investigation, quickly assuring the public that there was no ongoing threat to the community following the arrest. Simons was transported to the Sarpy County Correctional Facility. He was charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm within city limits. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting.
On Monday, October 19, 2026, Cody Simons made his first appearance in Sarpy County court. He was formally charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. The judge denied bond. Simons chose to waive his preliminary hearing, and his case was bound over to district court.
As of late October 2026, the case against Cody Simons was proceeding through the justice system. His arraignment in district court was scheduled for November 2, 2026. In the wake of this tragedy, Mr. Garcia's family asked for thoughts and prayers as they navigated their profound and sudden loss.
