Hall County District Judge denies transfer to juvenile court in Walmart shooting case

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – Charges against 17-year-old Yahir Cardenas will be heard in Hall County District Court.

He faces 19 charges following the May 2022 shooting at a Grand Island Walmart. Cardenas has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. These include attempted first degree murder, 14 counts of unlawfully discharging a firearm from or near a vehicle, two counts of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony and one count of first degree assault. He also faces a criminal mischief charge.

This stems from a shooting at the South Locust Walmart early in the morning of May 14.

In Grand Island Police testimony, Hall County District Court documents reveal Cardenas and others planned to assault the 17-year-old victim as he exited the party bus because they thought he was having fun with someone else’s girlfriend.

Court records reveal that Cardenas fired multiple shots and pointed a gun with a laser sight at the victim’s chest. The victim ended up being shot in the shoulder.

The teenager had tried to have the criminal case transferred to juvenile court, but Hall County District Judge Andrew Butler denied the motion.

At a hearing last week, the judge heard testimony from the Grand Island Police, the Nebraska State District 9 Probation Office and the defendant’s mother. He weighed what he heard, finally coming to this conclusion.

Judge Butler said in court documents that “Mr. Yahir Cardenas is a young individual, but his actions are extremely disturbing and dangerous. The actions of Mr. Yahir Cardenas have serious consequences because the whole situation started with a plan of aggression against the victim. Mr. Yahir Cardenas may have a limited criminal history, but the court recalls the seriousness of the crimes charged and the violence involved as the victim suffered gunshot wounds. The actions of Mr. Yahir Cardenas are more suited and appropriate for the district court.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 1 and a jury trial scheduled for December 5.

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