Homeowner near 80th and Harney reports shooting intruder

Tuesday morning, Renard LeBron returned to his home near 80th and Harney Streets to find a man on the second floor, wielding a baseball bat.

LeBron, 60, suffered bruises near his eyes and a knot on his forehead, but was able to defend himself as the man fled.

Wednesday morning, LeBron discovered a blue sedan in the driveway of his house. The car was driven away as LeBron waited for Omaha police to arrive. Officers later found pry marks on an open downstairs door, indicating forced entry.

Thursday morning, LeBron found another man inside his home. He shot that man once in the stomach, he told police, who arrived about 8:15 a.m. 

John McDonald, 25, was taken in serious condition to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy.

Police are investigating whether the three break-ins are related. A police report on the Tuesday assault lists a suspect, but it’s not McDonald. 

On Aug. 21, a judge issued an arrest warrant for McDonald when he didn’t show up for a court hearing on a possession of meth charge. 

The house where the shooting occurred is shrouded by untrimmed trees and bushes.

A yellow “Danger Closed” sign was posted at the front of the house. The sign noted that the structure had been deemed unsafe and

closed by the City Planning Department on Tuesday. 

In front of the house was a large gray bell, six garbage cans and a tarp next to a trailer, plus at least three unfired bullets and two large knives. 

To the east was a metal fence with a “Beware of Dog” sign and an open gate. An old blue and gray GMC pickup truck with at least two flat tires was parked nearby.

A different blue 1993 Chevy pickup truck was parked in the circle driveway in front of the house. Officers were taking photos of the outside of the truck and the truck bed. 

A white pickup truck was parked around the corner from the house as police investigated Thursday morning. It had in-transit papers that said it belonged to LeBron.

Sitting on the steering wheel was a green parrot with blue, red and yellow feathers around its face.

The truck was moved about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. 

From about 8:30 until 8:55 a.m. Thursday, three nearby schools in the Westside district were placed in “lockout mode,” meaning students were in place in the buildings but no one else was allowed in.

Officers were not looking for additional wrongdoers.

Read the complete article: NE | Omaha.com