Anthony L. Bonner Sr.

Anthony L. Bonner Sr. was a 39-year-old Black man whose life was cut short by gunfire on a Sunday night in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Born on December 21, 1980, he was a father and a known figure in his community. His sudden and violent death left his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and the pain of a future stolen from them. Following his death, a public visitation was held on May 5, 2020, at the Ames Chapel, allowing friends and family to gather and mourn their profound loss.

The night of April 19, 2020, was shattered by the sound of violence in North Omaha. Just after 10:00 p.m., the Omaha Police Department's ShotSpotter system detected a barrage of 10 gunshots near the intersection of 24th and Pinkney Streets. Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate the alert. When they arrived, they discovered a car parked in the area and, inside it, found Anthony Bonner. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was unresponsive. Medics with the Omaha Fire Department were called to the scene, but it was too late; Mr. Bonner was pronounced deceased inside the vehicle.

The Omaha Police Department’s Homicide Unit launched an immediate investigation into the killing. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, a residential area just north of the Creighton University campus, searching for witnesses and evidence that could shed light on what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting. Despite the ShotSpotter activation providing a precise time and location for the crime, authorities did not immediately release any information about a potential suspect or a motive for the attack. The initial investigation focused on piecing together a timeline of Mr. Bonner's final hours and determining who he might have encountered that evening.

In the days and weeks that followed, police made public appeals for information, hoping someone in the community held the key to solving the case. Investigators have not publicly identified any persons of interest or announced any arrests in connection with the homicide. The case has been characterized by a lack of public leads, leaving both the authorities and Mr. Bonner's family searching for answers and a path to justice. The silence surrounding the circumstances of his death has only compounded the grief for those who knew and loved him.

As years have passed, the investigation into Anthony Bonner Sr.'s murder remains active but unsolved. His case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. Law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with knowledge of the shooting, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.

The case remains open, and as of January 2024, no arrests have been made. Omaha Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to an arrest in the homicide. Anyone with tips is encouraged to contact the Omaha Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (402) 444-5656 or to submit an anonymous tip through Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP, at their website, or via the P3 Tips mobile app.