Omaha police officer shot in head at gas station
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - An Omaha Police officer was shot at a gas station Monday morning.
The shooting happened at about 6:20 a.m. Monday at the Quik Trip near 120th Street and West Dodge Road.
Employees initially called the police because one person walked into the gas station “erratic and aggressive,” Schmaderer says. Two officers arrived and they confronted the suspect outside.
What started as conversation turned into gunfire, and the officer was struck in the head. Schmaderer said the officer continued with the gunfight, though he was injured.
OPD Chief Todd Schmaderer and Mayor John Ewing Jr. gave new details on the shooting in a news conference later that morning, saying they spoke with the officer, who is believed to be in good condition. OPD says he is a 15-year veteran with the department.
“We are very lucky we did not lose an officer,” Chief Schmaderer said Monday morning. “For the past week, I have hard a lot of scrutiny put on OPD... a lot of scrutiny that wasn’t true. Some of it was false. And quite frankly, it’s gotten a little bit out of control.”
The suspect ran off. Just before 7 a.m. Monday, he was found at the McDonald’s near 114th and Dodge and was taken into custody without further incident.
OPD posted to social media about the incident and told the public there is no danger.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen posted to social media that he is monitoring the situation.
I am monitoring the situation regarding the Omaha Police Officer shot in the line of duty this morning and ask all Nebraskans to join in prayer for this Officer’s recovery. Our law enforcement officers—Police, Sheriffs, Troopers—are heroes. Say a prayer for each of them.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area, due to a heavy police presence and an investigation. Westbound Lower Dodge was closed through about 8:10 a.m. Monday at the I-680 interchange.
There are still some restrictions near 114th, 120th and Dodge Frontage Road, OPD says.
