A domestic disturbance in a Lincoln, Nebraska, home turned fatal in the early morning hours of July 13, 2020, ending the life of Adolfo Lemus Aguado, a 48-year-old Hispanic/Latino man. The incident began around 5 a.m. when his son, 21-year-old Adolfo Ortiz, arrived at the family’s residence on Washington Street and began banging on the door. Once inside the home he shared with his parents, Ortiz’s behavior was described by his mother as "very strange."
The situation quickly
escalated. After Ortiz went to his bedroom, his mother heard a single gunshot. He then emerged from the room waving a gun and yelling at his father, asking, "Why are you trying to kill me?" As his mother tried to push him toward the front door to get him to leave, Ortiz fired two shots. His father, Adolfo Lemus Aguado, was struck in the head.
Aguado’s wife made a frantic 911 call, telling the dispatcher that she believed her son was on drugs. Police arrived to find Adolfo Lemus Aguado deceased on the stairs inside the home. His wife and at least one other child were present during the shooting. Investigators followed a blood trail from the house and found Adolfo Ortiz about a block away, taking him into custody. He was officially arrested at about 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutors charged Ortiz with first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. During his first court appearance, he appeared confused and on the verge of tears. A judge set his bond at $2 million. In a hearing in January 2021, Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case was later resolved when Adolfo Ortiz pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to prison.
