Lincoln teen faces attempted assault charges after Russ's Market incident

A 14-year-old boy is facing charges of second-degree attempted assault after a confrontation involving a kitchen knife and a garden rake spilled out of a private residence and into a central Lincoln grocery store. The incident, which unfolded Monday evening, culminated in a scene where a teenager allegedly lunged at a bystander during a disturbance at Russ’s Market.

According to reports from 1011Now.com and KLKN-TV, the conflict began around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 2 near South 19th and Washington streets. Police were dispatched after receiving multiple calls regarding a physical altercation between the teenager and a 53-year-old man who reportedly knew the youth. While officers were en route to the initial location, the disturbance moved inside Russ’s Market at 17th and Washington streets, 1011Now.com reported.

A confrontation moves from a home to Russ’s Market

The escalation of the fight involved two different weapons. KLKN-TV reported that during the investigation, officers determined the 14-year-old had initially threatened the 53-year-old man with a garden rake at a home. The man managed to take the rake away from the teenager, but the youth then grabbed a kitchen knife, leading to the confrontation at the grocery store.

Disturbance: S 19th Street & Garfield Street Getting a couple calls for a male who is choking out a 14 year old. Dispatch adding another officer. Someone might have a knife or a rake, they're getting conflicting information from the scene. Dispatch updating: 40's year old…

— https://x.com/LincolnScanner/status/2117452491163848727

When Lincoln Police Department officers arrived at the market, they encountered a volatile situation. Officers observed the teenager holding a large kitchen knife and lunging toward a 69-year-old man. This bystander had reportedly attempted to intervene in the altercation using a shopping cart to protect others. KLKN-TV noted that the 53-year-old man was present at the scene holding the garden rake.

The confrontation ended when the teenager complied with police orders to drop the knife. In a detail noted by KLKN-TV, the 53-year-old man picked up the knife after the teen dropped it, but officers intervened and demanded that he also drop the weapon. Police recovered both the kitchen knife and the garden rake at the scene.

The 14-year-old was taken to a hospital following the incident before being lodged in the Youth Services Center. He faces suspicion of second-degree attempted assault, according to 1011Now.com. No injuries were reported during the disturbance.