Authorities Identify Victim, Suspect in Polk County Homicide Investigation

The Nebraska State Patrol has identified the victim and suspect in a Polk County homicide investigation that authorities say involved a shooting, kidnapping and attempted suicide early Tuesday morning. According to NSP, investigators believe 40-year-old Wesley Absher traveled to a business south of Shelby and shot 44-year-old Brian Gabel. Gabel, the owner of the business, was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman who was also at the business at the time of the shooting was then allegedly kidnapped by Absher, investigators said, where she was taken to a second location and assaulted. Authorities believe Absher then shot himself at that location. He was transported to Bryan Health West Campus in Lincoln with life-threatening injuries. The woman was able to drive herself to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Osceola shortly after 1:30 a.m. to report the incident. She was later taken to Columbus Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. NSP spokesman Cody Thomas said deputies initially requested assistance around 2 a.m. after the woman reported the incident. Law enforcement secured both scenes as the investigation began. Investigators say Absher and the female victim are in the process of going through a divorce. The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public.