Read the full article on KMTV 3
UPDATE April 14, 7:00 pm.
The Hillman family gave KMTV a photo update after a successful surgery.
UPDATE April 14, 5:30 pm.
Omaha Police released images of Noemi Guzman, 31, from officers’ body-worn cameras, moment before they say she slashed a three-year-old in the Walmart parking lot. Police shot and killed Guzman.
Omaha police shoot and kill kidnapping suspect after a 3-year-old is slashed with a knife at Walmart
by Katrina Markel
Omaha police shot and killed 31-year-old Noemi Guzman outside a central Omaha Walmart after she kidnapped a three-year-old boy and slashed his face and hands with a large kitchen knife.
The three-year-old was taken to Children’s Hospital for surgery. The child’s caregiver was with him in the hospital.
The Omaha Police Department released photos from body-worn cameras late Tuesday afternoon they say shows Guzman with the boy in a shopping cart. Police said the incident appears to be a random attack.
Investigators believe Guzman stole a large kitchen knife shortly after entering the store.
“The suspect produced a large knife inside the store and took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child,” said OPD Deputy Chief Scott Gray.
Guzman forced the child’s caregiver to walk in front of the shopping cart while she pushed the three-year-old inside, eventually forcing them into the parking lot. Gray said it does not appear that staff or other shoppers were aware this was happening.
“There was some verbal back and forth, it appears between the caretaker and the suspect, for several minutes before officers arrived,” Gray said.
At 9:20 am, two patrol officers arrived on the scene and called for help.
“They encountered a female outside the Walmart at this location. She was holding a knife to a three-year-old child that was in a shopping cart,” Gray said.
That is when Guzman slashed the child on his face and hands. Police immediately shot and killed Guzman.
“At least one officer fired their weapon and the suspect is deceased,” Gray said.
Police were still interviewing witnesses this afternoon. Investigators, including the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, are reviewing security footage and body-worn cameras. They cannot yet say how many shots were fired or if both officers fired their weapons.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
GUZMAN HAD HISTORY OF DISTURBING BEHAVIOR; JEREMY FREDERICKS SPOKE WITH ONE OMAHA NEIGHBOR WHO WAS TERRIFIED AFTER VIOLENT INCIDENT
By Jeremy Fredericks
HOW DOES WALMART APPROACH SECURITY AT IT’S STORES
by Max Williams
Walmart Global Press Office: “Violence like this is unacceptable. We’re working with police and supporting them in their investigation.”
Previous:
A woman is dead after police say an officer shot a woman who cut a child with a knife. The deceased woman approached a woman and 3 year old child in the store, threatened them with a knife, and forced the child’s caretaker to walk through the store in front of the cart while she pushed it just behind her, according to Omaha Police Deputy Chief Scott Gray.
When officers arrived, they saw the suspect with a knife to the child’s face, as police approached they say the suspect cut the child’s face, after seeing this they shot the suspect, killing her, Gray said.
Officers currently believe the suspect shoplifted the knife used to cut the child.
Watch: Omaha Police press conference
ORIGINAL STORY:
A police investigation is underway after a reported shooting at a Walmart in central Omaha Tuesday morning. Police have blocked access to the parking lot and have also closed southbound 72nd Street while they investigate.
Walmart employees have told KMTV reporters that they are not being allowed into the building.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
