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Four Omaha Officers Injured in QuikTrip Shootout That Left Suspect Dead

Police named 28-year-old Juan Melgar-Ayala as the gunman, with a body-camera–documented investigation headed to a required grand jury.

Overview

  • Detectives traced the suspect from a midday shooting at Phil's Cash Saver, where 61-year-old Michael Kasper was shot multiple times.
  • According to OPD, Melgar-Ayala fired from a restroom stall, exited and opened fire again, and officers returned fire, killing him.
  • Preliminary findings report the suspect fired 16 rounds and six officers fired 51, and a civilian in the bathroom was evacuated unharmed.
  • OPD identified the injured as Sgt. Emilio Luna, Det. Jordan Brandt, Det. Brock Rengo and Det. Christopher Brown; two were shot, one grazed by a bullet, and one injured by shrapnel.
  • All involved officers are on paid leave during a multiagency review using body-camera and radio evidence, and Kasper remains hospitalized in critical yet stable condition after two surgeries.