Investigators release suspect’s name, details of Kearney police officer being shot

KEARNEY, Neb. — Authorities are releasing more information about an incident in which a woman shot a Kearney police officer while in a hospital emergency room.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Alicia Martinez is lodged in the Buffalo County Jail on a second-degree assault charge. According to a news release, officers responded to a check welfare call for Martinez on Friday night. After an ambulance transferred her to a hospital, police say she was uncooperative and combative with officers.

The news release says Martinez was handcuffed and grabbed an officer’s holstered gun. The officer responded with weapon retention training. Martinez fired one shot, injuring the officer’s leg, while the gun remained in the holster.

The officer is a 16-year veteran of the Kearney Police Department and was treated and released from the hospital. Another officer, who has been with KPD for more than two years, was also on site. The Sheriff’s Office says it isn’t releasing the officers’ names at this stage of the investigation.

According to the release, the investigation will continue with review of body camera footage, security video footage and interviews.

Kearney Police have previously said Marinez might have been experiencing a mental health crisis.