Jeremiah VanLinda, a 24-year-old Caucasian male, passed away on April 9, 2024, in Ogallala, Nebraska. Born on January 21, 2000, in Alliance, Nebraska, Jeremiah was known as a free-spirited and dynamic individual with a contagious enthusiasm for life. He was a skilled mechanic and handyman, with a deep passion for anything with a motor and wheels, especially motorcycles. Beyond his mechanical abilities, he enjoyed the outdoors, often fishing and searching for turtles and snakes.
He was remembered by friends and family for his loyalty, the fun he brought to gatherings, and his love for animals.
On that Tuesday, the Ogallala Police Department was called to a residence at 411 West 6th Street for a report of an unconscious man who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers found Jeremiah VanLinda. Emergency medical services from Keith County responded to the scene but found no signs of life.
The subsequent investigation led authorities to identify Chet Stenzel as the individual who allegedly shot VanLinda. Investigators determined that a Mossberg International 715T semi-automatic rifle was the weapon used in the shooting. Following an initial investigation and interviews with witnesses, Chet Stenzel was taken into custody. He has been charged with second-degree murder. As of the day after the incident, authorities had not released a motive for the shooting. The Ogallala Police Department is receiving assistance in the ongoing investigation from the Nebraska State Patrol investigative team.
