| Alliance gunman implicated in second possible killing | |
| June 15, 2012 Doug Harris | |
 Courtesy Photo - Andres Gonzalez By Doug Harris dougharris@geringcitizen.com After a tense and violent day in downtown Alliance, Nebraska, that left one dead and many wounded, more information is being released to the public. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, Alliance gunman Andres Gonzalez, 27, told NSP SWAT officers that he had killed Joshua Bullock, a 38-year old Denver man who was last seen in the Alliance area in early December, 2011. Bullock’s burnt out pickup was found in a ravine southeast of Chadron on December 14, 2011. “Josh Bullock’s disappearance was an active case, but we had little information to go on,” said Investigating Services Lt. Monica Bartling. “Our investigation will now focus on finding Josh’s remains and bringing some closure to his family and friends.” This is just one more turn in the events that have unfolded since Gonzalez entered Thiele Pharmacy on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in an apparent robbery attempt. Gonzalez entered the pharmacy just before 9 a.m. Police were alerted that an armed man had entered the business. Gonzalez took pharmacy owner Charles Lierk, 62, hostage. What followed was a 14 hour stand-off with occasional gunfire exchanged. Two law enforcement officers were shot and wounded, as was hostage Lierk. Another officer suffered injuries related to this incident. There were various gun battles throughout the day and into the evening. At approximately 11:30 p.m. (MDT) NSP SWAT team members confirmed that Gonzalez was deceased at the scene. (No other officers were injured.) Alliance police officer Kirk Felker, 43, was shot in the arm and is listed in stable condition at Box Butte General Hospital. Later in the morning Trooper Tim Flick, 37 suffered three gunshot wounds to the left side of his body. Trooper Flick remains in stable condition at the hospital. A third officer from the Alliance police department, Matt Shannon, 35, was also wounded by shrapnel during the exchange. He was treated and released. The hostage, Charles Lierk suffered two gunshot wounds to his back and his arm when he successfully escaped at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Lierk was treated at Box Butte General Hospital and was released Thursday evening (June 14th.) The Nebraska State Patrol said they were working on a possible third crime scene related to Gonzalez. Investigators say a body identified as Larry Gonzalez, 62, Alliance was found deceased by law enforcement around 10 a.m. at 472 Cody Avenue, Alliance, on Tuesday, June 12. The NSP reported an autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death. Larry Gonzalez is the father of the deceased suspect, Andres Gonzalez. On Wednesday, June 13, the NSP arrested Gonzalez’s girlfriend, Rose Siefke, 19, of Hemmingford. She was charged with Being an Accessory to a Felony and is currently in the Box Butte County Jail. “This is a very complex and involved investigation,” said K.J. Hutchinson, Box Butte County Attorney. “We continue to work multiple crime scenes and release of information will be subject to the Grand Jury process.” Read more by Doug Harris |
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