On the evening of December 5, 2024, a domestic dispute in South Omaha escalated into a fatal shooting, claiming the life of 41-year-old Charles Primes. The Black/African American male was found by Omaha police near 27th and Pulk Streets with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident, which unfolded around 8:00 p.m., stemmed from an argument between Primes and his girlfriend.
The conflict reportedly began when Primes accused his girlfriend of cheating and demanded
to see her phone. As the argument moved outside, the woman's 16-year-old son, Karion Rockwell, became involved. Prosecutors state that as Primes and Rockwell's mother were arguing, Rockwell shot Primes. It is alleged that Primes was shot in the back of the head.
Following the shooting, Rockwell turned himself in to Omaha police and was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. In court, a judge denied bond for the teenager, who has no prior criminal record. Rockwell's mother described her seven-year relationship with Primes as abusive and stated she believed her son felt he had to intervene to protect her. Primes had a recent conviction for domestic assault involving another woman.
Video footage of the incident was later presented in court, allegedly showing the moments leading up to the shooting, including an altercation between Primes and Rockwell's mother in the presence of a young child. The defense for Rockwell has sought a lesser charge of second-degree murder, citing his clean record and his claim that he was trying to protect his mother. The case is set to proceed to trial.
