Omaha Police Injured in QuikTrip Shootout After Earlier Shooting, Three Officers Wounded With Non Life Threatening Injuries, Suspect Killed at Gas Station, Chaotic Confrontation Spurs Investigation, Community Shocked, Authorities Detail Timeline, Motive Unclear, Public Safety Response Intensifies, Support Offered to Officers, Vigilance Urged Citywide as officials assess risks reassure residents

A violent and deeply unsettling chain of events unfolded in South Omaha on Wednesday afternoon, shaking a normally familiar neighborhood and leaving a lasting impact on residents, business owners, and first responders alike. What began as a routine day quickly turned into chaos shortly after noon at Phil’s Foodway, a small grocery store known in the community as a place of everyday errands and neighborly interactions. Without warning, gunfire erupted inside the store, instantly transforming an ordinary space into a scene of terror. Witnesses described hearing multiple shots and seeing customers and employees scramble for cover, some ducking behind shelves while others rushed toward exits in fear. Amid the confusion, a 61-year-old man was struck several times in the chest. Emergency calls flooded dispatch centers as panic spread, and Omaha police officers were sent racing to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim gravely injured but conscious, and they immediately coordinated lifesaving efforts while securing the store. Thanks to the swift actions of officers and paramedics, the wounded man was transported to a hospital, where doctors later confirmed that, despite the seriousness of his injuries, they were not life-threatening. As the victim was stabilized, investigators began gathering witness statements and reviewing surveillance footage, quickly identifying a suspect described as a man in his late twenties who had fled the store immediately after the shooting, setting in motion an urgent manhunt across the city.

Using real-time intelligence, radio communications, and information obtained from witnesses and security cameras, law enforcement agencies worked together to track the suspect’s movements. Patrol officers, detectives, and supervisors coordinated closely, understanding that the suspect was armed and potentially dangerous. Within a relatively short time, police located a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting and followed it to a QuikTrip gas station near the intersection of 32nd and L Streets, a location known for steady foot traffic and frequent stops by commuters. The setting heightened the risk, as the gas station was occupied by customers and employees who were unaware of the unfolding danger.