A Nebraska man is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 19-year-old woman earlier this week in Omaha, according to reports.
Markel Devers was arrested on Thursday for accessory to murder and flight to avoid arrest in relation to the death of 19-year-old Dontayzhia Swift.
Devers charges were upgraded to first-degree murder in Swift’s death during an appearance in Douglas County court on Friday.
In court, prosecutors said around 30 people were gathered at a home near 37th Street and Grand Avenue Wednesday night, grieving another family member, 16-year-old Lamarantae Swift, who was gunned down overnight Sunday near 24th and Decatur streets.
Prosecutors said Devers’ actions led to uninterrupted and deadly gunfire Wednesday.
Kleine said that Devers allegedly maneuvered the car to give the shooter a clear line of sight.
“The defendant drove his vehicle partway into an alley next to the house, stopping at a 45 degree angle to the house, defendant’s angled parking near the house gave the passenger an unobstructed sight line to the people outside of the residence,” said prosecutor Lindsey Stennis.
Prosecutors said Devers then sped away from police, dropping the gunman off to evade officers, then continued to drive until he was arrested.
Devers’ attorney, Ted Turnblacer, said his client is a businessowner, engaged to be married, and is taking real estate courses.
“He gives back to the community with other business owners in the area at Christmas time. Judge, all I can say at this time is he claims innocence and denies his guilt in this,” Turnblacer said.
Kleine said Devers was not the shooter, but allegedly drove the car to where Swift was shot and later died.
Devers was held without bond during an appearance in Douglas County court Friday.
The Douglas County attorney said they’re still looking for who opened fire on Wednesday night.
“The violence that we’ve seen recently has to stop. And the only way that we can hold people accountable, responsible, is if people come forward. We need witnesses and we can’t allow this to go on,” Kleine said.
In addition, police are still searching for the person who killed Lamarantae.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work being done by the police and their homicide unit on all these cases. And so it’s still in the course of the investigation,” Kleine said.
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