Wisner man charged with murder in father’s death

A rural Wisner man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his father’s death that occurred in September of 2022.

According to court documents, the State of Nebraska will pursue a court case against Carl Ruskamp, 31, for three felony charges: first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon, and possession of a deadly weapon.

Ruskamp is facing sentences of life without parole for the first-degree murder charge.

Authorities were called to 320 Y Road in Wisner on Sept. 7, 2022. Once inside the residence they found Gerald Ruskamp, 65, on the couch with a gunshot wound to the head. Gerald was taken to Providence Medical Center in Wayne where he later died from the shooting.

According the court documents, Carl was the one who called 911. He told authorities his father was shot, but still breathing.

Carl Ruskamp told authorities that he heard a gunshot while he was outside the residence. He claimed that he saw a person wearing black clothes and a black mask running from the house.

Court documents indicate that a search of Carl’s phone revealed several messages sent to Gerald, including a threatening one that was sent the day before the shooting.

Carl’s Google search history also found that he had searched “headshot to the head” and several other similar searches about four days before the killing.

Physical evidence from the scene was analyzed by a crime lab. It was determined that a .22 caliber rifle discovered in the house was used to shoot Gerald. The forensic report found Carl’s DNA on the gun. In addition, the shirt Carl was wearing at the time of his arrest reportedly had his father’s DNA on it.

Carl Ruskamp’s arraignment hearing is set for Nov. 20.