Man accepts plea deal in Columbus shooting that killed stepfather

By Eric McKay

COLUMBUS, Neb. — A Columbus man has accepted a plea deal in connection to the shooting death of his stepfather.

Twenty-six-year-old Manuel Mesa-Cabrera was arrested last May after 42-year-old Anhil Mirabal Hernandez was shot and killed outside the Columbus Walmart.

Investigators say Mesa-Cabrera later turned himself in. Authorities said he had stopped taking medication for schizophrenia and had experienced homicidal thoughts in the years leading up to the shooting.

Mesa-Cabrera was initially charged with first-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. Those charges have since been amended to second-degree murder and a reduced weapon count.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30.