On the morning of January 2, 2021, 15-year-old Jovanny Gandara was shot during an altercation in northwest Lexington, Nebraska. Friends drove him to Lexington Regional Health Center, where he was pronounced dead. A sophomore at Lexington High School, he wrestled for the school and had earlier attended Morton Elementary and Lexington Middle School, where he played in the band.

Jovanny was remembered as energetic, loving, and outgoing, with a contagious smile. He enjoyed playing guitar, swimming, riding motorcycles, and spending time with friends. A member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, he is survived by his parents, four brothers, and his grandparents; his death deeply affected the Lexington community.

The Lexington Police Department identified a suspect, 18-year-old Ramon Gonzalez-Romero of Lexington, who was arrested and arraigned on January 4, 2021, on charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Officers recovered weapons believed to be connected to the shooting. Gonzalez-Romero was held without bond and pleaded not guilty in April 2021; a trial date was set for July 2021.

If anyone has information about Jovanny’s death or remembers him from school, church, or the community, please share what you know.