A 26‑year‑old man has pleaded guilty to second‑degree murder for shooting his stepfather at a Walmart parking lot in Columbus, Nebraska. The victim, 42‑year‑old Anhil Mirabal Hernandez, died after being shot in the chest and head, local news station KETV reported.
The defendant, Manuel Mesa‑Cabrera, is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
What Happened at the Walmart Parking Lot
On May 27, 2025, Mesa‑Cabrera asked his stepfather to go with him to the Walmart at 818 East 23rd Street in Columbus to help look for a vehicle part, authorities said.
Once they parked, Mesa‑Cabrera reportedly pulled out a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun and shot Hernandez in the chest and head. After the shooting, he left the scene.
Police Response and Aftermath
Police from the Columbus Police Department arrived at the Walmart parking lot at about 6:20 p.m. Officers found Hernandez on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest. Captain Doug Molczyk said officers gave first aid until medics from the Columbus Fire Department arrived.
Hernandez was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Mesa‑Cabrera turned himself in to police shortly after the shooting. In a statement, he said he surrendered because “he knew he was going to be arrested,” according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KOLN news.
Defendant’s Background and Charges
Mesa‑Cabrera had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but was reportedly not taking medication or seeing a doctor for his condition at the time, the affidavit said. Authorities believe that in the days before the incident, he decided to kill his stepfather.
He was originally charged with first‑degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Court records show he legally purchased the Smith & Wesson handgun about two weeks before the shooting.
