Halloween night in Omaha is typically filled with the sound of laughter, the rustle of costumes, and the promise of harmless fun. But this year, just before midnight on October 31, 2025, the festive atmosphere was shattered by the sound of gunfire at a house party near 36th and Polk streets. The tragic result: the death of Sevyn Bellar-White, a 17-year-old senior at Millard North High School, whose promising future was cut short in an instant.
According to KETV NewsWatch 7 and WOWT, Omaha police responded swiftly to the scene after reports of a shooting. Officers found Bellar-White outside the party, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The news sent shockwaves through the Millard North community, where Bellar-White was known as a bright and engaged student, and left a pall over what should have been a night of celebration.
As the investigation unfolded, details emerged about the chaos that erupted that night. The house party, which had drawn local teens, turned deadly just as Halloween was winding down. For many in the community, the incident served as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in seemingly safe, familiar settings.
Police wasted no time in seeking those responsible. By November 12, 2025, the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force had tracked down and arrested two 18-year-olds, Rayquan Bass and Yourhansay Gonzales-Washington, in Council Bluffs. Both were taken to the Pottawattamie County Jail, across the river from Omaha, as the investigation continued to gather momentum.
According to the official statements cited in both KETV NewsWatch 7 and WOWT, Rayquan Bass faces a litany of serious charges: second-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and possession of a defaced firearm. The gravity of these charges reflects the severity of the crime and the community’s demand for accountability. Meanwhile, Yourhansay Gonzales-Washington was charged with possession of a defaced firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and accessory to a felony. Authorities allege that both young men played critical roles in the events leading up to and following Bellar-White’s death.
But the arrests did not stop there. On November 13, 2025, a third suspect, 18-year-old Shawn Roland, was taken into custody. According to KETV NewsWatch 7, Roland faces charges of accessory to a felony and tampering with physical evidence. His arrest highlights the complex web of actions and decisions that law enforcement believes contributed to the tragic outcome.
As of November 13, the investigation remained ongoing, with police continuing to piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting. The authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, and questions linger about what sparked the violence that ended Bellar-White’s life. The lack of clear answers has only deepened the sense of loss and bewilderment among students, parents, and teachers at Millard North High School.
The impact of Bellar-White’s death has been profound. At Millard North, students and staff have mourned the loss of a peer whose life, by all accounts, was filled with potential. The school has offered counseling and support services in the wake of the tragedy, as classmates struggle to come to terms with the sudden absence of one of their own. The story has resonated far beyond the school’s walls, with community leaders and local media calling attention to the broader issues of youth violence and gun safety.
According to KETV NewsWatch 7, the charges against Bass and Gonzales-Washington are particularly severe due to the use of a defaced firearm—a weapon whose identifying serial numbers have been altered or removed, making it more difficult to trace. This detail has raised additional concerns about the prevalence of illegal firearms in the hands of young people and the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing their use.
Community reactions have been swift and emotional. Many Omaha residents have expressed outrage and sorrow on social media, with some calling for increased security at teen gatherings and others urging a renewed focus on preventing gun violence. The tragedy has also sparked conversations about the responsibilities of adults who host parties and the importance of vigilance when it comes to the safety of young guests.
As the legal process moves forward, the families of those involved face an uncertain future. For Bellar-White’s loved ones, the pain of his loss is compounded by the knowledge that his death might have been preventable. For the families of the accused, the arrests have brought a different kind of heartbreak, as they grapple with the consequences of choices made on a night that was supposed to be about fun and friendship.
The Omaha Police Department has remained tight-lipped about specific details of the case, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Both KETV NewsWatch 7 and WOWT have reported that authorities are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses in an effort to build a comprehensive understanding of what happened. The hope is that, in time, the full story will come to light and justice will be served for Bellar-White and his family.
While the community waits for answers, the tragedy has sparked renewed calls for action. Local advocacy groups have pointed to the incident as evidence of the urgent need for better gun control measures and more robust support systems for at-risk youth. Lawmakers and city officials have also weighed in, promising to review existing policies and consider new initiatives aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
For now, Omaha mourns the loss of a young life and braces for the legal proceedings that will follow. The house party near 36th and Polk streets is now a symbol—a stark reminder of how quickly joy can turn to heartbreak, and how the choices made in a single moment can reverberate through an entire community for years to come.
As the investigation continues, residents hope that some measure of healing can be found and that the lessons of this Halloween night will not be forgotten.
