Kearney Police Department
A suspect in the shooting death of Jared M. Shinpaugh, during the attempted robbery in the 800 block of West 23rd Street on January 16, 2022 has been arrested. Romeo Chambers, 24, of Omaha was located and arrested on January 5, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Kearney Police were notified by Phoenix Police after Chambers was arrested for trespassing at an apartment in Phoenix. Chambers remains in police custody at the Maricopa County Jail awaiting extradition to Buffalo County.
Chambers was also wanted in connection with a shooting/attempted murder on September 9, 2023 in Denver, CO. Kearney Police and Phoenix Police have been in communication with Denver Police.
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 deceased 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.
In March of 2022, Kearney Police Investigators 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.
“I’m thankful and relieved this dangerous fugitive has been located and arrested. Over the course of nearly two years, KPD and law enforcement from across the state and the country have been working to locate and apprehend Chambers. We appreciate the assistance from all our allied local, state, and federal partners and hope this arrest brings the victim’s family and friends one step closer to finding closure.” – Chief Bryan D. Waugh
The Kearney Police Department have been assisted in this investigation by Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Attorney’s Office, University of Nebraska Kearney Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Grand Island Police Department, United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, Denver Police Department, and Phoenix Police Department.