Omaha, NE – The Omaha Police Department’s Officer-Involved Investigations Team is investigating an incident that occurred Tuesday morning leaving one woman dead and a child injured.
Uniform Patrol Bureau officers responded to Wal-Mart at 1606 S 72nd Street for a “nature unknown” emergency call at 9:13 a.m. Initial information provided to 911 was from a female caller requesting police assistance. This female stopped providing information to the call taker. An additional 911 caller indicated there was a woman armed with a “large kitchen knife” with a young child.
A two-officer patrol unit arrived at the location where the officers immediately exited their cruiser to approach the armed woman, later identified as Noemi Guzman, 31, who was near the southern parking lot entry standing by a shopping cart with a 3-year-old boy inside. Ms. Guzman was making multiple threats with the knife. Officers gave multiple verbal commands for Ms. Guzman to drop the knife. She refused to drop the weapon and cut the boy. The two patrol officers fired their service weapons striking Ms. Guzman. The child’s guardian, along with a bystander, immediately removed the child from the cart and rendered aid to him. Officers began lifesaving measures on Ms. Guzman; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital by Omaha Fire Department medics for treatment. The boy’s injuries are considered non-life threatening.
Investigators later determined through store surveillance footage that Ms. Guzman had shoplifted the knife from inside the store. She then approached the child and guardian in a shopping aisle, brandished the knife, and forced the guardian to walk ahead of the cart while the child remained inside. Ms. Guzman directed them through the store and into the parking lot. Officers arrived shortly after Ms. Guzman, the guardian, and child exited the store and began walking east toward the parking lot entrance.
“The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. “The community can be reassured in knowing that Omaha police officers stand ready to act with courage and decisiveness in the most serious situations to protect the public.”
Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. thanked police for quick action that prevented a larger tragedy.
“I am grateful for the department’s professionalism and transparency,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing. The Omaha Police Department Officer-Involved Investigations Team is being assisted by investigators from the Nebraska State Patrol, Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices.
Various aspects of this incident were captured on officers’ body-worn cameras and other available surveillance.
The Omaha Police Department offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Guzman during this difficult time.
The involved officers have been placed on paid critical incident leave, per department policy. They will be interviewed at a later date, and the Omaha Police Department Public Information Office will provide an updated news release in the coming days.
The Omaha Police Department is asking any independent witnesses who may have observed or recorded any actions of Ms. Guzman during this incident to please contact the department directly at 402-444-4877. Please reference Report Number: AA31063 when calling. Your information could be valuable to the ongoing investigation.
