Lincoln police officers made two arrests following the investigation into the homicide of Audrea Craig. 28 year old Rubin J. Thomas of Lincoln and 21 year old Jesse T. Foster of Lincoln were both arrested for First Degree Murder.
Previously, on July 24th, at 3:46 a.m., Lincoln police officers responded to Craig’s residence in the 2000 block of South 26th Street on a report of a person who had been shot. When officers arrived, they found Craig deceased inside the residence from apparent gunshot wounds.
On July 24th at approximately 3:52 a.m., Lincoln police officers responded to Bryan West Hospital on a report of a man with a gunshot wound. Hospital staff reported several individuals assisted the victim, later identified as 26-year-old Martae Green, into the emergency room and left prior to police officers’ arrival. Green was unresponsive and pronounced dead at 4:37 a.m.
Lincoln Police Department and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office investigators and crime scene technicians responded and processed both scenes for forensic and digital evidence, as well as conducted a neighborhood canvass for additional witnesses and video surveillance. By analyzing video surveillance, investigators were able to identify the suspects and their vehicle, track their movements across the city before and after the homicide, and verify their presence at Craig’s residence and the hospital.
Video surveillance shows that Green was one of the individuals who forced entry into Craig’s residence while armed with a handgun. Further investigation and interviews revealed that during the robbery, Craig armed herself and shot Green.
Lincoln Police continue to work closely with Audrea Craig’s family and friends. We are keeping them in our thoughts as we continue to investigate this tragedy. We ask the public to please respect the family’s privacy as they grieve her death.