A chaotic series of violent events spanning several hours in South Omaha ended in gunfire Wednesday afternoon, leaving three police officers injured and a shooting suspect deceased.
The incident, which began with a grocery store shooting earlier in the day, culminated in a tense standoff at a QuikTrip gas station near 32nd and L Streets. According to Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, the confrontation marked a “very dangerous day” for the city, though authorities confirmed that a bystander trapped in the crossfire managed to escape unharmed.
Timeline of Events: From Grocery Store to Gas Station
The violence began around noon on Wednesday at Phil’s Foodway near 30th Street and Ames Avenue.
According to police reports, a 61-year-old man was grocery shopping when he was shot multiple times in the chest by a Hispanic male in his late 20s. Authorities stated the victim’s injuries were serious but non-life-threatening.
Following the initial attack, the Omaha Police Department (OPD) mobilized quickly. Detectives, along with the OPD Assault and Gang units, began a surveillance operation after identifying a vehicle with license plates matching the suspect’s car.
Investigators tracked the vehicle to the area of 38th and Harrison streets before following it to the QuikTrip gas station at 32nd and L Streets around 2:20 p.m.
The Standoff at QuikTrip
The situation escalated rapidly once the suspect entered the gas station’s restroom. The OPD report details a harrowing encounter:
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Initial Contact: Officers attempted to persuade the suspect to exit the restroom.
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First Shots Fired: Shots rang out from the bathroom, striking one officer. Police retreated to a tactical position outside the restroom door.
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Bystander Escape: A bystander, who was inside the bathroom when the shooting began, managed to safely exit the scene before further violence occurred.
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Final Exchange: Officers commanded the suspect to surrender. The suspect exited the bathroom and opened fire again, injuring a second officer. Police returned fire, neutralizing the suspect.
“He has shot a citizen in our community and he shot at several law enforcement officers,” Chief Schmaderer stated during a press update. “Very dangerous day as it relates to this particular suspect today.”
Body-worn camera footage captured both encounters inside the convenience store, which will be critical to the ongoing investigation.
Officer Condition and Official Response
Three officers sustained injuries during the operation: two were shot, and a third was struck by shrapnel.
In a hospital update provided at 5:00 p.m., an OPD spokeswoman confirmed that all officers were in good spirits and their injuries were non-life-threatening. The officer hit by shrapnel was discharged later that evening, while the others remained hospitalized for treatment.
Per standard procedure, the officers involved have been placed on “critical incident leave.” The investigation is being conducted with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol, as well as the Bellevue and Papillion police departments.
Mayor John Ewing Jr. commended the swift action of the police force.
“I commend the officers for great police work and bravery they showed in getting the plate, and following up on that and doing what was necessary to try and complete an arrest,” Ewing said. He expressed relief that no other citizens were harmed during the exchange.
Governor Jim Pillen also issued a statement of support:
“The men and women of law enforcement put their safety on the line each and every day. We must support them and keep them in our prayers.”
Community Impact and Safety Measures
The intense police presence—estimated by witnesses to include 30 to 40 patrol vehicles—shocked local residents. Witnesses told local news outlets that while they are accustomed to minor disturbances, an event of this magnitude was unprecedented for the neighborhood.
QuikTrip released a corporate statement emphasizing their commitment to safety:
“Our top priority is always the safety of our employees and customers… We will continue to take necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, customers and communities we serve.”
Traffic in the area was significantly disrupted, with U.S. Highway 275 (L Street) closed between 31st and 33rd streets for several hours. The roadway was reopened to the public at approximately 6:20 p.m.
