State Patrol Investigating shooting death in Wayne County

WAYNE  — The Nebraska State Patrol continues investigating a shooting death that occurred Wednesday evening in rural Wayne County. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the incident at approximately 7:15 p.m. at a residence at 320 Y Road, north of Wisner. 

Upon arrival, deputies located a male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Gerald Ruskamp, 65, was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The Sheriff’s Office has requested that the State Patrol lead the investigation.

As troopers and deputies from Wayne and Cuming counties worked to secure the scene and surrounding area, a marijuana grow operation was discovered on the property. Two individuals, identified as Carl Ruskamp, 30, and Duane Ruskamp, 64, were both arrested on charges related to the grow operation. Both men were lodged in Thurston County Jail.

At this time, there are no suspects in custody in relation to the shooting investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.