Omaha Police Kill Woman After She Slashes 3-Year-Old Outside Walmart

A woman was shot and killed by police in Omaha, Nebraska, on April 14 after she grabbed a young boy and slashed him with a knife outside a Walmart, as reported by the officials. The child, just 3 years old, suffered serious cuts but is expected to survive.

Deputy Chief Scott Gary said officers responded quickly after a 911 call reported a woman, threatening a child with a knife. When police arrived, they ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. Instead, she began “swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face,” Gary informed. Soon, an officer then opened fire, killing her on the spot.

The boy was rushed to a hospital with a deep cut on the left side of his face and an injury to his hands, which the doctors say will heal.

Police said the incident happened inside the Walmart. The suspect, identified as Noemi Guzman, approached a woman shopping with a boy and showed a large knife she had taken from the store, and then took hold of the child.

“She took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child,” Gray said. The suspect then forced the woman to walk ahead of the shopping cart while holding the child at knifepoint. The two then left the store and moved forward a driveway outside. Gary said the women argued for several minutes before the officers arrived at the scene.

As per the New York Post, video from body cameras shows the intense moment where the child can be seen sitting in the cart while the suspect raises the knife. An officer points a gun at her just before the shooting.

Police said the store was not crowded at the time. The suspect and the woman did not appear suspicious as they walked out.

“They kind of just purposely but casually walk out of the store,” Gary said. “I don’t think anybody was actually looking at them as being suspects of anything.”

Authorities said the suspect and the woman did not know each other. It is still unclear what led to the attack. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer praised the officers’ response. “The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life,” he said. Additionally, the officers involved have been placed on paid leave, as required by the policy. The shooting is currently under review by local and state agencies.