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Chase Anthony Vane Ditter

Age : 17

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 02/06/2024

Location : 38th Street

City : Columbus

County : Platte

State : Nebraska

Agency : Platte County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Jodi Hefti, Kyle Blunck

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/06/2024, officers conducted a welfare check at a residence in Columbus after reports that 17 year old Chase Ditter was experiencing a mental health crisis involving possible self harm. Officers encountered him inside the home holding a knife, and one officer deployed a Taser while another opened fire, striking and killing him at the scene. Investigators presented the case to a grand jury, which cleared the officers of criminal charges. According to the family’s federal civil rights complaint, officers entered the home without a warrant, escalated the encounter within seconds, and Ditter was shot nine times during the confrontation while near his father. The family filed a federal lawsuit naming Officers Jodi Hefti and Kyle Blunck and the City of Columbus as defendants; court records show the case was filed February 3, 2026 and remains active. The family previously submitted a $2 million tort claim to the city that was later withdrawn, and the current lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Public reporting and accessible records show no documented prior shootings, discipline findings, or civil rights cases involving either officer.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wowt.com/2024/02/08/17-year-old-fatally-shot-by-columbus-police-officers-during-welfare-check/
https://plattevalley.newschannelnebraska.com/story/50839533/officerinvolved-shooting-case-will-head-to-grand-jury
https://www.wowt.com/2026/02/05/family-columbus-teen-fatally-shot-by-police-files-federal-lawsuit/
https://courthousenews.com/family-sues-nebraska-police-over-fatal-shooting-of-depressed-teenager/
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/nebraska/nedce/4%3A2026cv03028/110267