Charges filed against man accused of fatally shooting stepfather in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Neb. (KOLN) — Charges have been filed against the man accused of shooting and killing his stepfather outside a Columbus Walmart last month.

Prosecutors have charged 25-year-old Manuel Alejandro Mesa-Cabrera with one count of first-degree murder and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

On May 27 at 6:20 p.m., officers were called to the Walmart near East 6th Avenue and Highway 30 on report of a shooting in the parking lot.

Crews found 42-year-old Anhil David Mirabal Hernandez, of Columbus, on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and head. Witnesses told police that the suspect left the scene after the shooting.

Hernandez was taken to Columbus Community Hospital, where he later died.

A short time later, police said Mesa-Cabrera turned himself in at the Columbus Police Department. His vehicle was searched, and officers recovered a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun from the glove compartment.

According to an arrest affidavit, Mesa-Cabrera had been experiencing homicidal idealizations for a year or two leading up to the shooting. He had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and police said he was no longer taking medication or seeing a doctor for the condition.

In the days leading up to Hernandez’s death, police think Mesa-Cabrera’s homicidal idealizations worsened up until the point that he decided to kill his stepfather.

Mesa-Cabrera asked Hernandez to accompany him to Walmart to help him shop for a vehicle part, police wrote. They drove to the store, and Hernandez was shot twice a short time after they parked.

At the police station, Mesa-Cabrera told officers he turned himself in because “he knew he was going to be arrested,” the affidavit shows.

Upon further search of Mesa-Cabrera’s vehicle and home, officers said they discovered additional 9mm ammunition, a cartridge casing and the handgun’s box.

Mesa-Cabrera legally purchased the firearm about two weeks before the shooting, police wrote.

Mesa-Cabrera’s bond has been set at 10% of $1,000,000. His first court appearance is scheduled for June 30.