Published on February 24, 2025
UPDATE (February 26, 3:45 p.m.) | The Lincoln Police Department has identified the officer who fired his service weapon as Officer Ryan Lawrence, who joined LPD in 2018. *** The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred overnight in northeast Lincoln. On Monday, February 24, just before 2:30 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a white Cadillac outside an apartment building near N. 46th and Orchard streets. Officers had probable cause to order the occupants, a male driver and female passenger, out of the vehicle to conduct a K9 search. As officers ordered them to step out, one was standing outside the open passenger door of the vehicle. The occupants did not comply and as they began driving away, the officer on the passenger side got caught inside the vehicle. The vehicle slowly continued down Orchard Street while two officers ran on foot behind it. The K9 handler turned back to retrieve his cruiser while the other officer pulled his service weapon and commanded the driver to stop the vehicle multiple times. When the driver did not comply, the officer fired his service weapon in the direction of the vehicle. No one was injured by the gunshot. The vehicle stopped in the intersection of N. 48th and Orchard where the officer who had been inside the vehicle was able to step away with minor injuries. 66-year-old Ronald Willis and 44-year-old Cynthia Chamberlin, both of Lincoln, were taken into custody without incident and later lodged in in the Lancaster County Jail. Willis will be charged with flee to avoid and assault on a police officer and Chamberlin will be charged with possession of a controlled substance. Additional charges are pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing. Those with information can call our non-emergency number at 402-441-6000 or if you would like to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.