Kearney teen pleads not guilty to weapons, drug charges

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - A Kearney teenager connected to a January murder pleaded not guilty to weapons and drug charges.

Zachary Walker, 19, was arrested in connection with the January 16 shooting death of Jared Shinpaugh at a Kearney residence. Walker is one of several suspects in the case of an apparent drug deal gone wrong.

Walker is charged with five counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, one count of Possession of a Defaced Firearm and one count of Possession of Marijuana more than one pound.

Walker pleaded not guilty to the charges in Buffalo County District Court. His next hearing on the case is Sept. 6.

On Jan. 16 at approximately 8:38 p.m. KPD responded to the 800 block of West 23rd Street to investigate a report of gunshots in the area. The investigation revealed one person was killed and two other subjects had been shot in an attempted robbery. The deceased was identified as Jared M. Shinpaugh, 31, of Lexington. One victim, identified as Joseph Garcia, 29, of Lexington, was treated and released at Good Samaritan Hospital for a gunshot wound. Garcia is now also facing charges related to the crime.

It was later discovered that a resident, Joshua Morris, 18, of Kearney, was also shot during the attempted robbery. Morris and Mariah Chamberlin, 19, are both facing drug and weapons charges.

Investigation into the homicide and attempted robbery is ongoing and additional information will follow as available.

Police are still attempting to locate 24-year-old Romeo Chambers after a felony arrest warrant was issued in March for multiple charges including 2nd degree murder.