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Omaha Target shooting: Cops shoot dead suspected gunman 6 minutes after first call for help

A group of Omaha Police officers who were the first to respond went inside and confronted the gunman who was firing AR-15 rifle in the store

OMAHA, NEBRASKA: A suspected active shooter was shot and killed by Omaha police officers at a Target yesterday, January 31. Officers responded to the Target near 178th Street and West Center Road and worked to clear the store, Omaha police said. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said no civilians were injured in the incident.

"There's evidence to suggest, with shell casings,that he entered the Target and was firing rounds," Schmaderer said, according to Ketv. Preliminary investigation indicates the suspect, described as a white male in his early 30s, fired several shots from a AR -15 style rifle. The name of the shooter has not yet been released, but authorities are expected to release the suspect's name soon.

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So far authorities have not found out how many rounds were fired by the gunman. They are also trying to identify the shooter and what relationship, if any, he had to the store.

What happened at West Omaha Target?

An armed unnamed man reportedly opened fire inside a West Omaha Target store but was later fatally shot by the responding cops, the city's police department said on Tuesday. In a statement, the retail store stated that the shoppers and staff were safely evacuated and that it was cooperating with the Omaha Police Department. "Responding officers shot the suspect who was armed with a rifle. Currently no victims located at Target or local hospitals," the Omaha Police Department said on Twitter.

Eyewitness account from Target shooting

Many Target employees were just beginning to leave after police secure the scene. However, they still had their working shirts, nametags and walkie talkies on. A woman said that she first heard the sound of the shots being fired on her walkie talkie. "I was in the breakroom taking my break and I heard screaming over the walkie talkie and by the time I figured out what it was everybody is yelling 'get out, get out, we have an active shooter," a Target employee told the outlet. 

Jasmine Gascar said she was on her lunch break shopping at Target at the time of shooting. She said that initially she wanted to run away from the store but when she witnessed the other employees running towards her, she decided to stay inside, with just a shoe to defend herself from the attack. "I really thought I was going to die, I really thought I was going to die," Gascar said. "It just felt like they were coming closer and closer."

She texted her coworkers to call the police because she said the gunman sounded like he was right outside of the dressing room. Another woman said, "I was inside Target today when the shooting started. I’m physically ok. Very shaken up. And just so thankful to be alive, for the employee who helped me get out, and for everyone I was huddled with outside, just trying to process what was happening." 

What does the police investigation say?

The suspected shooter was apparently shot dead within six minutes of the initial call for help, according to an analysis of police scanner traffic. Omaha police said detectives and forensic technicians were expected to examine the scene last night. "We will update the public when and how they can get their vehicles and/or personal items from the Target store at a later time when the scene is done being processed," Omaha police said on Twitter.

The store is closed "until further notice." "Following an incident in our Omaha West store, we can confirm that all guests and team members safely evacuated the store. The store will remain closed until further notice. We are partnering with the Omaha (Police Department) as we learn more," a Target spokesperson said in a statement. The incident is still under investigation. 

Target shootings in the recent past

MEAWW previously reported that one person lost his life following a shooting that involved two deputies in Kissimmee, Florida. The incident occurred on April 27, near Target in the 4700 block of West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (US Highway 192). At least three others were injured in the incident. According to Osceola Fire Rescue, one person was taken to the hospital after shrapnel became lodged in his hand while two more people were injured while running away from law enforcement.