Murder-Suicide, Assault, and Train Derailment Top Lincoln's Most-Watched Videos

A tragic week in Nebraska with a murder-suicide, a middle school assault, a workplace fatality, and a train derailment conviction.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, twisted piece of metal train track against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty aftermath of a criminal act.A twisted remnant of the train derailment in Bennet exposes the dangerous consequences of a criminal act shared online.Lincoln Today

This week's most popular stories in Lincoln, Nebraska include a murder-suicide in Polk County, an assault at a middle school, a workplace fatality at a manufacturing facility, and the conviction of a man who derailed a train and posted the video online.

Why it matters

These incidents highlight the range of crimes and tragedies that can impact a community, from domestic violence and assaults to industrial accidents and acts of vandalism. They raise important questions about public safety, mental health resources, workplace regulations, and the role of social media in amplifying criminal acts.

The details

In the Polk County murder-suicide, 40-year-old Wesley Absher is believed to have traveled to a hog farm, shot and killed the owner Brian Gabel, kidnapped his estranged wife, and then taken her to another location where he assaulted her before dying by suicide. The assault at Lefler Middle School involved a 14-year-old girl being punched multiple times, requiring hospital treatment. At Reinke Manufacturing, 35-year-old employee Trenton Fuentez was crushed and killed by falling pipes. And 19-year-old Zachary Hertzler was convicted of derailing a train in Bennet in 2024 and posting the video online.

  • On Tuesday, April 8, 2026, the murder-suicide and kidnapping occurred in Polk County.
  • On Tuesday, April 8, 2026, the assault at Lefler Middle School took place during dismissal.
  • On Wednesday, April 9, 2026, Trenton Fuentez was killed in the workplace accident at Reinke Manufacturing.
  • In April 2024, Zachary Hertzler derailed a train in Bennet and posted the video online.
  • On Monday, April 7, 2026, Zachary Hertzler was convicted for the 2024 train derailment.

The players

Wesley Absher

A 40-year-old man who committed a murder-suicide and kidnapping in Polk County.

Brian Gabel

The 44-year-old owner of a hog farm who was shot and killed by Wesley Absher.

Trenton Fuentez

A 35-year-old employee at Reinke Manufacturing who was killed in a workplace accident.

Zachary Hertzler

A 19-year-old man who was convicted of derailing a train in Bennet in 2024 and posting the video online.

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What’s next

Zachary Hertzler is scheduled to be sentenced on June 22, 2026 for the train derailment conviction.

The takeaway

These tragic incidents underscore the need for greater mental health resources, improved workplace safety regulations, and stronger measures to prevent the spread of criminal acts on social media. They serve as a sobering reminder of the complex challenges communities face in maintaining public safety.