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Murder-suicide determined as cause of death for two Omaha couples

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Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

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Omaha police vehicles are seen near 8505 Izard St. in Omaha after two people were found shot to death Wednesday.

Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

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Kevin Cole Omaha World-Herald

Omaha police said Sunday that in two instances last week of a husband and wife dying by gunshot, the apparent cause was murder-suicide instigated by the male.  

A husband and wife found fatally shot Wednesday afternoon near Cunningham Lake have been identified as Joshephine Taw, 27 and her husband, Lwe Soe, 27, according to a statement released by the Omaha Police Department on Sunday. 

The homicide unit determined Soe shot Taw before killing himself, police said. The couple were found about 3:30 p.m. with gunshot wounds inside a house at 8830 N. 82nd Ave. 

Soe was pronounced dead at the scene, but Taw was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she later died. 

A 5-year-old and a 1-year-old were found unharmed in the house and were taken into the custody of the police, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said. Officers at the scene were seen holding the children and placing a car seat in a police cruiser.

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Schmaderer said the 5-year-old called a family member, who then called 911.

Earlier on the same day, a husband and wife were found dead at a home near 85th and Izard streets. 

Officers found Ruchell Jencks, 65, and George Jencks, 68, dead from gunshot wounds when they responded to 8505 Izard St. at 1:33 a.m., according to a press release from the Omaha Police Department.

Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha on Wednesday. Police have determined that George Jencks, 68, shot his wife, Ruchell Jencks, 65, before turning the gun on himself. 

CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Officers spoke with a reporting party "who said he found his parents dead inside the residence," according to police.

Those incidents were two of three deadly shootings that police responded to Wednesday in Omaha. Aung Htoo, 17, was found fatally shot near 48th and Nicholas Streets about 1:10 a.m.  

Police determined that Htoo and Manish Gurung, 18, who was critically wounded, were shot near North Saddle Creek Road and Hamilton Street. Officers canvassing the area located the victims nearby. Gurung is expected to survive, police said. 

An 18-year-old Omaha man, Gaydohnay De, has been charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, first-degree assault and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. 

A 17-year-old male, whose name has not been released, was booked into the Douglas County Youth Center after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a stolen firearm and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 741-741 or visit 988lifeline.org/ for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Even if it feels like it, you are not alone.

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Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha on Wednesday. Police have determined that George Jencks, 68, shot his wife, Ruchell Jencks, 65, before turning the gun on himself. 

Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Omaha police vehicles are seen near 8505 Izard St. in Omaha after two people were found shot to death Wednesday.

Two people were found shot to death at 8505 Izard St. in Omaha, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.