Video shows shooting outside downtown Lincoln bar; no charges filed against security guard (2024)

The Lancaster County Attorney's Office will not file criminal charges in connection to a shooting last month thatleft one man dead outside a downtown Lincoln bar.

County Attorney Pat Condon said his office has worked closely with Lincoln Police Department investigators and staff on their investigation into Gregory Little Jr.'s shooting early April 7 outside Royal Hookah Bar & Lounge, 1619 O St.

"Having reviewed all potential charges and the justification of self-defense under Nebraska law, the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office has determined that no criminal charges will be filed as it cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of a crime," he said in a news release Tuesday.

Police say Little, 32, was at the bar at about 3 a.m. when a dispute broke out among some people inside the bar and Little's group, supposedly over cutting in line.

They say three security guards working at the bar attempted to intervene and that Little, or someone else in his group, grabbed a baton from one of them. The altercation spilled outside, and a skirmish ensued as the guards tried to retrieve the baton.

Police haven't identified the man who fired the shots.

Chief Michon Morrow said police shared details of the investigation with Little's family Tuesday morning.

"We understand the results are not what they hoped for, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies during this difficult time of grief and loss," she said.

Condon said: "While the family has advocated for criminal charges to be brought in Mr. Little's death, it is the duty of the county attorney and law enforcement to ensure that a thorough investigation is completed, and any charging decisions are made based only upon the available evidence and the laws of Nebraska."

He said that, ethically, the prosecution must believe that a crime has been committed and that no affirmative defenses, such as self-defense, justified the actions under the law.

Condon thanked those who came forward to provide eyewitness statements and shared videos with law enforcement, which he called "instrumental" in guiding them through the review and decision-making process.

He said police investigators and prosecutors in his office came to the consensus that the security guard’s actions were justified under the circ*mstances.

"In this investigation, it is unknown what Mr. Little’s intent was as he reached down to pick up the Glock 9mm handgun that had been knocked from the security guard’s tactical vest. However, under the totality of the circ*mstances, the security guard’s belief that Mr. Little posed an imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury was a reasonable one," Condon said.

He said videos corroborated the security guard’s statement to police.

According to a Facebook post, Little moved from East St. Louis, Illinois, to Lincoln and started a food truck selling soul food. His business was named Lula Mae's Kitchen, after his grandmother.

The family met with media in front of the Royal Hookah Bar & Lounge on Tuesday afternoon to address Condon's decision not to proceed with charges in Little's death.

"The justice system has failed me and my family," said Little's brother, Antionio Taylor, who questioned why the security guard needed to be armed with multiple guns.

The family expressed their frustrations about the decision made by the county attorney, saying they have had trouble sleeping since the day of the shooting.

"I will go to my grave spending every penny I have to get justice," Little's mother, Vernadine Taylor, said.