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Who is Mark Keesler? Omaha man who fatally shot Deving Willis-Smith in front of his children arrested

Mark Keesler is now in custody for manslaughter and use of a weapon to commit a felony

OMAHA, NEBRASKA: Deving Willis-Smith, 30, was shot and killed outside a house near Minne Lusa Elementary School on Wednesday night, July 19 in front of his children. Omaha police have arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the homicide. The 30-year-old father and Korey Daniels raised five children over the course of their ten-year relationship. 

"Deving was a wonderful guy. He always had just a lot of jokes, just a great sense of humor and best of all, he was a great dad," Daniels stated. She claims that he was a devoted father who had just taught his sons how to fish. "I'm glad that my kids got him as a dad because I couldn't ask for anybody better," the devastated mother added.

Who is Mark Keesler?

Mark Keesler, 31, was reportedly arrested by Omaha Police in connection with the murder of Deving Willis-Smith on Wednesday, July 19, according to a tweet from Omaha Scanner. Additionally, as per KETV NewsWatch 7, the man was detained by Omaha police for manslaughter and use of a weapon to commit a felony. According to Keesler's parents, he suffers from bipolar disorder and autism, which the Douglas County attorney is yet to confirm.

'Kids were in the window while bullets were flying'

According to Daniels, she was leaving her daughter with her biological father and claims that Willis-Smith approached the residence after arriving in his own car due to a dispute. "Taken way too soon for just senseless, just senseless violence," she stated. The biological father claims he ducked behind a car to escape the gunfire but declined to speak to the media for fear of retaliation. He stated, "Twenty-five-plus shots were fired. Almost 30 shots were fired." 

The biological father claims Willis-Smith also opened fire on his home. "Half of those were into my home, into my kids' room," he stated. "And the kids were in the window while bullets were flying." The office of Douglas County's attorney was unable to confirm who opened fire first.

How did Willis-Smith die?

The police officers were called to the area near 28th Ave and Whitmore Street, where they discovered Willis-Smith suffering from a gunshot wound around 9 pm. They gave him CPR while waiting for medical help. The Omaha father died when he arrived at Nebraska Medical Center. Police were informed by witnesses—both adults and children—that multiple bullets were fired. The investigation is still ongoing, as per WOWT6.

'He's definitely feeling bad right now'

Keesler has been his friend for a long time, according to the biological father, and he is taking what he has done seriously. "It's definitely nothing to celebrate or be proud of. He's definitely feeling bad right now," he added.