The Nebraska State Patrol has released additional details about a Friday morning homicide in rural Polk County that led to a multi-county manhunt and ended with the suspect being shot and killed by state troopers in Butler County.
State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says 47-year-old John Cyza of rural Duncan was found dead at his home in northeast Polk County with multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators identified 45-year-old Nathan Dohmen of Clarks as the suspect. Dohmen had fled before law enforcement arrived.
According to Thomas, Polk County 911 received a call from a person who was not involved in the shooting. The caller also warned authorities that Dohmen might be targeting a second individual. Investigators located that person and confirmed the individual was safe.
Suspect Allegedly Fired at Butler County Sheriff
Numerous law enforcement officers responded to the area to search for Dohmen.
Thomas says the Butler County sheriff located Dohmen’s vehicle on a rural road. As the sheriff approached to investigate, Dohmen allegedly fired a rifle at him. The sheriff was not struck.
Dohmen fled in his vehicle and later stopped at a store in Bellwood, where authorities say he stole a case of beer.
A Nebraska State Patrol helicopter crew and troopers on the ground subsequently located Dohmen’s vehicle.
Following a brief pursuit, Dohmen pulled into a farmhouse driveway northeast of David City, near 37 Road and O Road.
According to the State Patrol, Dohmen fired at troopers, who returned fire. Dohmen was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.
No troopers were injured, and the resident of the farmhouse was also unharmed.
Two Separate Investigations Underway
The Polk County sheriff requested that the State Patrol’s Investigative Services Division investigate Cyza’s homicide.
Separately, the Butler County attorney requested an investigation into the trooper-involved shooting. That investigation is being conducted by the State Patrol’s Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
Both investigations remain ongoing.
Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Colonel Bryan Waugh praised the law enforcement personnel involved in the response.
“This incident is a strong reminder of the dangers our troopers face in protecting the people of Nebraska,” Waugh said.
He also expressed confidence in the professionalism of the responding troopers, dispatchers, pilots, investigators and command staff, and pledged continued support for the personnel involved.
The State Patrol has not released the identities of the troopers who fired their weapons or additional details about the circumstances leading to the original homicide.
Information provided by Nebraska State Patrol Public Relations Director Cody Thomas in an October 25, 2026, news release.