Trial begins into shooting death linked to Indian gang in Nebraska

Thursday, January 13, 2011  

A trial began into the shooting of Nebraska man who was killed after he had a confrontation with a distant cousin about their gang affiliation.

Andrew Galligo, 19, was allegedly shot by Rufus Freemont on June 18, 2010. But witnesses said the incident began when Claudette Loera clashed with Galligo about the Indian Nation Klick gang.

“She's the one driving,” Freemont's attorney said in court, The Omaha World-Herald reported. “She's the one who starts the argument. She's the one who spits on (the victim). She's the one who covers up. She's the one who threatens everyone.”

Loera's sister, Christa Harlan, witnessed the confrontation and the shooting. Harlan said she recognized Galligo as a cousin and pleaded with her sister to walk away from the situation.

“She just ignored me,” Harlan testified, the paper reported. “She kept asking what 'hood he was from. ... I told her, ‘Just leave it alone.'”

Galligo was from the same tribe as Loera and Harlan although their tribal affiliation wasn't reported.

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Testimony begins in shooting trial (The Omaha World-Herald 1/13)