OMAHA, Neb. -- Police on Tuesday formally charged a 19-year-old man who they believe fired a high-powered rifle at a drive-through restaurant customer from at least 100 yards away. Kyle Bormann, 19, was charged by Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine in the death of Brittany Williams, 21.
Late Tuesday, Bormann's family responded to a request for comment from KETV NewsWatch 7. "On behalf of the entire Bormann family, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Brittany Williams," an e-mail to the station said. "We do not understand why this happened, as we are still trying to figure it out for ourselves. We would also like to extend our sincerest apologies and regrets. We understand that there are absolutely no words that can change what happened in this tragic event and would like Brittany's family to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers every hour of every day."
Williams, 21, was shot to death at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday as she sat at the Florence Kentucky Fried Chicken and Long John Silvers near 30th Street and Craig Avenue. Investigators said they believe Bormann used a high-powered rifle, and Williams was a random target.
Kleine said the possibility that this was a hate crime is still being considered by investigators.
"We'll see where that leads, as far as motivation -- what motive he had," the prosecutor said.
Police said Bormann was 100 to 200 yards away from Williams' car northwest of the restaurant on 30th Street when he fired the gun.
Kleine said Bormann used something like a Winchester model 670a with a .243 cartridge. Considered a pure sportsman's rifle by some, it is a bolt-operated rifle that takes some time to reload.
Kleine said the gun had a scope, and that the weapon belongs to Bormann.
"Apparently he had some history of hunting -- lived in South Dakota. That's where he was from, and was a hunter," Kleine said.
When he was arrested on Sunday night, police said they found Bormann dressed as a hunter.
"He was dressed in camouflage gear, camouflage jacket, camouflage pants," Kleine said.
Kleine said he will ask a judge on Wednesday to assign no bond for Bormann.
South Dakota Criminal Records Show History
South Dakota criminal records show that Bormann has been charged with crimes in at least three counties. The charges range from traffic violations to drug possession -- a charge that was later reduced.
Bormann was sentenced in Brookings County in July after he pleaded guilty to ingesting intoxicants. Brookings police said an officer saw Bormann acting suspiciously near a motel, and when the officer tried to find out what he was doing, Bormann took off running.
"The officer was able to locate him again and through his investigation, there was the smell of alcohol, as well as marijuana," Lt. Jeff Miller of the Brookings Police Department told television station KSFY.
Police said an ingesting charge is most common when a suspect is under the influence, but the officer doesn't find the person carrying a substance.
One of the conditions of Bormann's sentencing was that he had to stay out of trouble with the law until next July, records show.
Police: Bormann Drove Through Crime Tape
Bormann quickly drew attention to himself after Sunday's shooting. While officers were conducting their crime scene investigation, a white 1996 Chrysler Sebring drove through the crime-scene tape, police said. Officers at the scene said they attempted to stop the Sebring, but the driver -- police said it was Bormann -- refused to stop.
The vehicle eventually did stop in the area of 29th and Bondesson streets, where Bormann exited the vehicle and fled on foot, police said. After a short foot chase, Bormann was apprehended, police said. Officers said they saw him throw down a high-powered rifle, police said.
