UPDATE: April 8, 2026 (Shelby, Neb.) — The Nebraska State Patrol is able to release additional information as the investigation continues into an apparent murder-attempted suicide in Polk County.
Following preliminary investigation, NSP investigators believe that the suspect, identified as Wesley Absher, 40, traveled to the business located near County Road T and 127th Road, south of Shelby, and shot another man. The victim has been identified as Brian Gabel, 44. Gabel was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gabel was the owner of the business.
The female victim was also present at the business at the time of the shooting and was then kidnapped by Absher. She was taken to another location on farm ground near County Road S and 129th Road, where she was assaulted. At that location, investigators believe Absher shot himself.
The female victim was able to drive herself to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Osceola and report the incident just after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Deputies responded and requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol. Both scenes were secured. Absher was transported to Bryan Health West Campus in Lincoln with life-threatening injuries. The female victim was transported from the Sheriff’s Office to Columbus Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators have learned that the female victim and Absher are going through a divorce.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Shelby, Neb. — (Apr. 7, 2026) — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident in which one person was killed and another assaulted in Polk County overnight. The suspect is also in the hospital with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Early Tuesday, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in response to an incident that involved multiple scenes near Shelby.
Preliminary investigation shows that deputies located a man deceased with an apparent gunshot wound at a business near County Road T and 127th Road, south of Shelby. A second scene was also located on farm ground near County Road S and 129th Road. An injured man was found at the second scene with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was transported to Bryan Health West Campus in Lincoln with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies were alerted to the incident at approximately 1:30 a.m., when a female had been able to drive herself from the second scene to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident and that she had been assaulted. The female victim was then transported to Columbus Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Investigations believe there is no threat to the public.
Additional information will be released when possible. The Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
