A disturbing incident took place in a Walmart parking lot in Omaha, Nebraska. A woman allegedly kidnapped a child, and when police arrived, she attacked him with a large kitchen knife. The entire incident was captured on police body camera footage.
The Omaha Police Department shared a statement on its Facebook page regarding the shocking event. Officers responded to the Walmart parking lot in Omaha, Nebraska, just after 9:10 AM, after reports that a woman armed with a “large kitchen knife” had taken a young child.
The woman, identified as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, was seen pulling out the knife while pushing a shopping cart with a three-year-old boy inside.
“Ms. Guzman was making multiple threats with the knife. Officers gave multiple verbal commands for Ms. Guzman to drop the knife. She refused to drop the weapon and cut the boy,” police wrote.
“The two patrol officers fired their service weapons, striking Ms. Guzman. The child’s guardian, along with a bystander, immediately removed the child from the cart and rendered aid. Officers began lifesaving measures on Ms. Guzman; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Woman shot dead by police after approaching child in shopping cart
The young boy was quickly transported by the Omaha Fire Department to a children’s hospital for treatment. Fortunately, his injuries were not considered life-threatening.
After reviewing store surveillance footage, investigators determined that Noemi Guzman had stolen the knife from inside the store. She then approached the child and guardian in a store aisle, displayed the weapon, and forced the guardian to “walk ahead of the cart while the child remained inside.”
“Ms. Guzman directed them through the store and into the parking lot. Officers arrived shortly after Ms. Guzman, the guardian, and child exited the store and began walking east toward the parking lot entrance,” the Facebook post added.
“The responding officers acted with professionalism and decisive action to intervene and save a child’s life,” Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said. “The community can be reassured knowing that Omaha police officers stand ready to act with courage and decisiveness in the most serious situations to protect the public.”
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Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. also expressed gratitude to the officers for their quick response.
“I am grateful for the department’s professionalism and transparency,” he said.
The investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, authorities added, “The Omaha Police Department offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Guzman during this difficult time.”
On Wednesday, a Walmart spokesperson, per Sky, said: “Violence like this is unacceptable.” The company confirmed it is cooperating with the investigation.
The Omaha Police Department is asking any independent witnesses who may have seen or recorded Ms. Guzman during the incident to contact them directly at 402-444-4877. Please reference Report Number: AA31063 when calling. Your information may be valuable to the ongoing investigation.
