Man lured stepfather to Walmart by asking for help finding vehicle part then shot him in the head and chest with 9 mm
Inset: Manuel Alejandro Mesa Cabrera (Platte County Sheriff's Office). Background: The Walmart located at 818 East 23rd Street in Columbus, Nebraska (Google Maps).
A man has confessed to luring his stepfather to a Walmart under the pretense of shopping for a car part, then fatally shooting him.
Manuel Mesa-Cabrera, 26, entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder in connection with the death of 42-year-old Anhil Mirabal Hernandez, according to Omaha-based ABC affiliate KETV. Mesa-Cabrera is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
Authorities say the incident occurred on May 27, 2025, at the Walmart located at 818 East 23rd Street in Columbus. Mesa-Cabrera asked Hernandez to accompany him to the store to assist in finding a vehicle part.
Court documents reveal that Mesa-Cabrera, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was not receiving treatment or taking prescribed medication at the time. Investigators believe he had planned to kill his stepfather in the days leading up to the visit.
After the pair parked at the store, Mesa-Cabrera allegedly produced a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun and shot Hernandez in the chest and head before leaving the scene.
Columbus Police Department officers responded to the parking lot around 6:20 p.m.
“Upon arrival, officers located a male victim lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest,” said Captain Doug Molczyk. “Officers immediately rendered aid until Columbus Fire Department medics arrived.”
Hernandez was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Mesa-Cabrera turned himself in to authorities shortly after the shooting, telling police he expected to be arrested, according to the affidavit.
Mesa-Cabrera initially faced charges of first-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony. Law enforcement said he had legally purchased the Smith & Wesson handgun two weeks before the shooting.
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