Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation in Lincoln

November 5, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.)  — The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln Police Department are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Lincoln on Wednesday.

This morning, members of the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force were looking for a wanted person, identified as John Massa, 41, of Lincoln. Massa was the subject of an arrest warrant in connection with a felony narcotics and firearm possession case. Massa was believed to be armed and dangerous.

Task Force members determined that Massa was believed to be at a hotel near the intersection of 56th Street and Cornhusker Highway in Lincoln. Shortly before 8:45 a.m., Massa left the hotel and entered the backseat of a vehicle, which was driven by another person. Task Force members, including a Nebraska State Trooper and United States Deputy Marshal stopped the vehicle as it was attempting to turn westbound on Cornhusker.

The driver has been determined to be a rideshare driver and is not associated with Massa. The driver was able to flee the vehicle after observing Massa in possession of a firearm. The trooper and deputy marshal gave verbal commands to Massa, but he refused to comply. Preliminary investigation reveals that the trooper saw the handgun and that both the trooper and the deputy marshal fired, striking the suspect. The handgun was later located inside the vehicle.

Massa was transported to Bryan Health West Campus, where he is currently being treated for life-threatening injuries. Neither the trooper, deputy marshal, nor rideshare driver were injured during this incident. An NSP Police Service Dog in the trooper’s vehicle was also not injured.

NSP has requested that the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln Police Department conduct the investigation, with assistance from the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office. That investigation is ongoing.