Michael Brinkman, 50, was shot during a home invasion at his southwest Omaha residence on the evening of December 23, 2016. Two masked men forced their way inside while Brinkman’s girlfriend and teenage son were in the house; Brinkman struggled at the doorway and was struck once in the chest. Officers arrived about 5:40 p.m. and he was taken to a hospital, where he died of his wound.

Investigators tied DNA from a piece of discarded fast food Texas toast found at the scene to 29-year-old LeAndre R. Jennings. Police arrested Jennings on suspicion of first-degree murder and related weapons charges. Prosecutors said two armed men wearing masks and gloves had entered the home. Jennings was tried in 2018; after 11 days of testimony a Douglas County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. A judge sentenced him to life in prison plus consecutive terms on the weapons counts, and appellate and postconviction challenges were later rejected.

Authorities have continued to say a second intruder was involved and fled; that person has not been publicly identified. If anyone knew anything about activity around 180th and Q Streets in late December 2016 or the second intruder, please share tips with investigators.