News Release Kearney Police Department
Kearney Police have continued to follow-up on leads, interview witnesses, and compile forensic and digital evidence leading to identifying Romeo Chambers, 24, of Omaha as a suspect in the shooting death of Jared M. Shinpaugh, as well as the injuries to Joseph Garcia and Joshua Morris in the attempted robbery on January 16, 2022.
Kearney Police Investigators have requested and obtained a felony arrest warrant for Romeo Chambers related to this case. The warrant was issued for multiple felony offenses including Murder in the Second Degree, Class 1B Felony, three counts of Use of a Weapon to commit a Felony, Class 1C Felonies, one count of Possession of a Handgun by a Prohibited Person, Class 1D Felony, one count of First-Degree Assault, Class II Felony, and one count of Second-Degree Assault, Class IIA Felony.
“Violent crime is not acceptable in this community, I’m proud of the effort by all involved in this case leading to multiple felony arrests. Members of KPD and our allied law enforcement partners have worked tirelessly on this case, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Chambers. The information shared from our community, leads cultivated throughout this investigation, the use of technology, and quite frankly, good old fashion police work led to this felony arrest warrant.” – Chief Bryan D. Waugh
Additional arrests have been made in relation to this case. Joseph Garcia and Chenoa Lemburg have been arrested and charged with Attempted Robbery. Joshua Morris and Mariah Chamberlin were arrested and charged with possession of a stolen handgun, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of more than one pound of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and use of a firearm in the commission of felony.
On Sunday, January 16, 2022, at approximately 8:38pm KPD responded to the 800 block of West 23rd street to investigate a report of gunshots in the area. Investigation revealed one person was killed and two other subjects had been shot in an attempted robbery. The deceased was identified as Jared M. Shinpaugh,31, of Lexington. One victim, identified as Joseph Garcia, 29, of Lexington, was treated and released at Good Samaritan Hospital for a gunshot wound. It was later discovered that a resident, Joshua Morris, 18, of Kearney, was also shot during the attempted Robbery.
This remains an ongoing investigation and additional information will follow as available.
The Kearney Police Department have been assisted in this investigation by Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, University of Nebraska Kearney Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Grand Island Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Romeo Chambers, last known location is Omaha. Call 911, Kearney Police 308-237-2104, Kearney-Buffalo County Crime Stoppers 308-237-3424.