Omaha Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Armed Fleeing Man

Police Chief Todd Schmaderer states that Officer Noah Zendejas acted within protocol during the incident involving Steven Phipps.

Steven Phipps, a 22-year-old Black man, was shot eight times by Omaha Officer Noah Zendejas during a traffic stop for expired plates.
Phipps was armed with a legally owned firearm, which was pointed at Zendejas as Phipps fell from a fence while fleeing.
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer confirmed that Zendejas had not violated any use-of-force policies and was concerned about public safety risks.
The incident, captured on body camera, will be reviewed by Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine and a grand jury to decide on potential charges.
This shooting marks the second fatal encounter involving a Black man and Omaha police in the past two months, raising community concerns.