Man shot by police across the street from Nebraska Capitol

Reitan says officers were told Artis was armed.

Police in Lincoln, NE say what started as a traffic stop on Tuesday ended with one man being shot near the Nebraska State Capitol Building.

The incident began when a Lincoln police officer saw Artis in the back seat of a vehicle near 12th and K streets just after 1 p.m., Peschong said. Police also say Artis was carrying multiple packages of illegal drugs, but they didn’t clarify what kind of narcotics.

A nearby deputy USA marshal and Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputy heard the broadcast and joined in the pursuit, Sheriff Terry Wagner said Tuesday. Other officers, deputies and members of the Fugitive Task Force saturated the area to find the 18 year old suspect, Tariek Artis. Lux says he then heard three shots. but didn’t see the shooting.

Nebraska state Ombudsman Marshall Lux said he saw the man being chased by a police officer across the lawn in the southwest corner of the Capitol. The man’s trousers were bloody and he appeared to be hit in the upper thighs, she said. He said an investigation will reveal more information about the shooting and witnesses are still be interviewed.

The shooting took place less than a block from the governor’s residence.

A pistol was found near Artis, who has since been transported to a Lincoln hospital, according to a release from the Lincoln Police Department.

Wagner said the deputy sheriff, who was not identified, has been placed on administrative leave.