Messiah Jeremiah Holley, a 17-year-old Black male, died on November 8, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in what police are investigating as a homicide. The shooting occurred around 7 p.m. near the intersection of 19th and Spencer streets. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Holley with gunshot wounds and immediately began life-saving measures.
He was transported to Nebraska Medicine in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
According to his family, Messiah had been diagnosed with a form of psychosis and would often wander from his home. They believe his mental state may have made him a target. On the night of his death, he had walked over two miles from his residence to the location where the shooting took place. His parents expressed that they had been seeking inpatient treatment for him and believe that if he had received the necessary mental health care, his death could have been avoided. The police have stated that they do not believe the attack was random.
In December 2023, authorities arrested 18-year-old Tyrese Coleman in connection with Messiah Holley's death. Coleman was charged with first-degree murder and was ordered to be held without bond. Prosecutors stated that a ShotSpotter alert indicated five gunshots in the area where Holley was found with wounds to his head, neck, back, arms, and hands. Home surveillance footage reportedly showed a group of young people surrounding Holley before shots were fired.
The investigation led police to a nearby house where several individuals, including Coleman, were located. A search of the residence uncovered a Glock handgun with an extended magazine. Ballistic reports allegedly matched the shell casings found at the crime scene to the rounds in the magazine of the recovered firearm. According to prosecutors, two witnesses who were present during the incident identified Coleman as the individual who shot and killed Holley. They stated that several people began punching and kicking Holley before Coleman allegedly yelled for them to move, pulled out a handgun, and shot Holley multiple times.
