Police: Motorist, father fight after child runs into street; both men arrested

By Andrew Wegley

Click here for updates on this story

    LINCOLN, Nebraska (Lincoln Journal Star) — Two men were arrested after a 5-year-old child ran into a west Lincoln roadway, prompting an argument between a motorist and the child’s father that devolved into a fight and slashing, according to police.

Officer Erin Spilker said Joshua M. Ratkovec, 42, was driving near Walker Avenue and Aurora Street when the child entered the roadway, inciting the argument between Ratkovec and 30-year-old Amilo J. Boone, the child’s father.

Witnesses told police the two men argued before Ratkovec threatened Boone and left the scene, later returning with a knife in a sheath attached to his hip, Spilker said.

Upon returning, Boone told police that Ratkovec lunged at him, punched him and reached for the knife. In a struggle that ensued over the blade, Boone emerged with the knife and Ratkovec had a slash wound on his back, according to police.

Boone told police that Ratkovec then retreated, this time threatening to return with a gun, Spilker said.

Before the 42-year-old got the chance to return, Spilker said he was arrested at his residence near 55th Street and Partridge Lane on suspicion of terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Boone was arrested at his home on suspicion of second-degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony, as well as a county traffic warrant.

Both men were taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.