HAMILTON COUNTY, Neb. — Caleb Arnett, 29, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and three counts of use of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony in Hamilton County Court.
According to an arrest affidavit, around 1:20 a.m. Saturday, the Aurora Police Department arrived on scene at the 100 block of Fairview Drive after receiving a report of “blood everywhere” and a knife-wielding attacker.
When officers arrived, they found a female victim outside with stab wounds around her throat, back and left arm. She was transported to CHI Health-St. Francis before being life-flighted to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha.
According to the affidavit, when officers entered the residence, they located Arnett brandishing a knife in a black sheath. The officer said he instructed Arnett to drop the knife. Arnett complied and was arrested without incident.
The affidavit says the officer discovered a juvenile male victim inside a locked bedroom holding a knife. The officer said the juvenile dropped the blade, then telling him he had grabbed the knife to avoid being stabbed by Arnett.
Court records say the juvenile required stiches in his right hand for severe lacerations. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, he was treated and later released.
The affidavit said Ross Nickolaus, 48, was found by officers in a downstairs bedroom per the juvenile’s information. The officer said he and two deputies located Nickolaus with no pulse, soaked in blood slumped against the bed with his legs bent behind him.
The affidavit says officers observed a “large, deep puncture” above Nickolaus’ heart area, with no observable any defensive wounds on Nickolaus’ body.
Nikolaus was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
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