A Douglas County District Court judge sentenced 22-year-old Damaree Amos to 27 to 38 years in prison for a shooting that killed 22-year-old Chance McCowin and injured two others during the 2025 Native Omaha Days celebration. The shooting happened near 24th Street and Patrick Avenue in North Omaha on Aug. 4, 2025, after a fight broke out at the festival.
According to omaha.com, Amos was sentenced to 27 to 38 years in prison.
The case began far from the courtroom. As reported by wowt.com, Amos was arrested Dec. 30 in Council Bluffs in connection with the August homicide, and the Council Bluffs Police Department took him into custody before he was extradited to Douglas County to face charges.
From Murder Charge to Plea
Amos was initially charged with second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and three counts of using a firearm to commit a felony, per ketv.com. He was found guilty on amended charges of manslaughter, attempted second-degree assault and use of a firearm to commit a felony in the death of McCowin.
Amos had considered McCowin a friend. Amos apologized in court before the judge handed down the sentence.
Prosecutor and Judge Address the Loss
Douglas County Deputy Attorney Rachael Henderson said Amos turned what should have been a fun social party into a complete and utter nightmare for the three victims and their families. Henderson said McCowin was loved and important to his family and friends.
Judge Timothy Burns said the shooting should never have happened and that gun ownership comes with responsibility.
Homicides Down Citywide as Case Closes
The sentencing comes as Omaha police report an overall drop in crime across the city. The Omaha Police Department says crime continued to decline in 2025. Omaha recorded 26 homicides in 2025, well below the city's historical average and far fewer than the 50 homicides logged in 2015, according to the department.
Police also reported a 100 percent homicide-clearance rate for the third consecutive year. The McCowin case is now resolved with Amos's sentencing, even as the human toll of the Native Omaha Days shooting remains with the victims' families.
