On the night of October 31, the streets of South Omaha were shaken when 17-year-old Sevyn Bellar-White was shot outside a lively Halloween gathering. The call came in around midnight for a disturbance near 36th and Polk streets, where police found Sevyn unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the hospital.
Police say the incident unfolded at a house party where a large group of youths had gathered for Halloween festivities. According to witnesses, chaos erupted: loud commotion, people scattering in the dark, and then the arrival of law enforcement. Officers spent hours securing the scene, documenting evidence, and reviewing nearby surveillance footage in hopes of tracing what led to the tragedy.
The Omaha Police Department Homicide Unit has taken the lead in the investigation. As of now, no arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions have been publicly released. Investigators are urging anyone who attended the party or nearby to contact them with any photos, video clips, or details — saying even small pieces of information could be crucial.
In the midst of the official investigation, the community has been left grappling with heartbreak. Local residents and leaders describe Sevyn as a bright, kind youngster with a promising future ahead — a teen whose life ended far too soon. Neighbors have gathered in vigils and planning sessions to support his family, honor his memory, and demand answers.
“This is a devastating loss,” said one friend, visibly shaken. “Sevyn was so young and had so much ahead of him. Our community is hurting, and we want to see justice done.” The sentiment has resonated throughout South Omaha, where calls for greater youth safety and peaceful conflict resolution are gaining new urgency.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to reach out: the Omaha Police Homicide Unit can be contacted at 402-444-5656, and for anonymous tips the number is 402-444-7867. Submissions can also be made via the Omaha Crime Stoppers website or the P3 Tips mobile app.
As investigators sift through the evidence, the community holds its breath — remembering Sevyn not just as a victim of violence, but as a young man full of potential and promise. While the investigation moves forward, his family, friends and neighbors are bound together in grief, support and a shared hope that his death will not be in vain.
