The Sobansky family is mourning their daughter, Zara “AJ” Sobansky. According to the statement, “AJ was smart, talented, and completely unique. AJ, an excellent student, was also very involved outside of the classroom.”
Omaha police said Sobansky was killed by 18-year-old Tristan Doner on Friday night near the Stokes Grill and Bar.
The OPD has not released any information about the two teenagers’ relationship.
This tragedy provides an opportunity for parents to talk with their teenagers about their mental health.
Dr. Howard Liu, a psychiatrist at Nebraska Medicine, stated that one of the most important things parents can do is to be aware.
“One thing we should do is talk about it. According to Liu, family dinners can be very protective for teens simply because they provide a forum for them to discuss issues.
Katie Welsh of the Women’s Center for Advancement stated that WCA’s prevention and education program visits schools to teach students about everything from recognizing signs of jealousy to healthy communication.
“For younger children, the terminology will differ; we will only discuss green and red flags. Welsh explained that when speaking with high school students, the language becomes more sophisticated.
The OPD has not released any information regarding a possible motive.
The Boys Town National Hotline receives a large number of calls, particularly from teenagers, about mental health. Nick Zadina, Manager of Quality Assurance and Training, emphasized the importance of asking simple, open-ended questions to make teenagers feel at ease. He hopes that this will not only promote positive mental health but also result in better relationships overall.
“Throughout that understanding of the problem, they can actually generate their own solutions,” Zadina told me.
Millard Public Schools says it will continue to provide support to staff and students as needed.