On August 4, 2015, a tragic incident occurred in Falls City, Nebraska, resulting in the death of Joseph Debella Jr., a 31-year-old man from Kansas City, Kansas. Debella had been staying at a residence on Morton Street in Falls City for about a month when he was shot in the head in the basement of the home.
The shooting took place late in the evening of August 4, and there was a significant delay before emergency services were contacted. A 911 call was made shortly after midnight on August 5, although some reports suggest it may have been made before midnight. When police arrived at the scene around 12:15 a.m., they found Debella still breathing but unresponsive.
Debella was initially taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Bryan Trauma Center West in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was placed on life support in the intensive care unit. Despite medical efforts, Debella's condition remained critical. Approximately a week after the incident, on August 13, 2015, Debella's mother made the difficult decision to remove him from life support, and he subsequently passed away.
The alleged shooter was identified as Desiderio C. 'Desi' Hernandez, a 34-year-old resident of Falls City and Debella's cousin. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise from the basement, after which Hernandez was seen emerging from the area, putting on a flannel shirt, and leaving the residence. Hernandez reportedly confessed to shooting Debella to both his sister and brother shortly after the incident.
Initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, Hernandez's charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder following Debella's death. Additional charges included use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Hernandez was held on a $1.5 million bond, and his case proceeded to trial.
In December 2016, following a week-long trial, a Richardson County jury found Hernandez guilty on all counts. On January 31, 2017, Judge Daniel Bryan sentenced Hernandez to life in prison for first-degree murder, with additional consecutive sentences for the firearms charges.
The case deeply affected the community, with family members urging the public to avoid rushing to judgment and to refrain from making hateful or racist comments on social media. The incident highlighted the tragic consequences of gun violence and the impact it can have on families and communities.
