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Omaha Bystander Escapes QuikTrip Restroom Moments Before Suspect Opens Fire; Officers Return Fire

01:47 AM, 12/05/2025

A bystander safely left a QuikTrip restroom in Omaha moments before an armed suspect—traced to the store after an earlier grocery-store shooting about seven miles away—opened fire on officers. An initial exchange inside the restroom wounded one officer; after the suspect exited and fired again another officer was injured and a third suffered shrapnel wounds. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the investigation and one officer has since been released from the hospital.

Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska, say a civilian narrowly escaped from a QuikTrip restroom just moments before an armed suspect opened fire on responding police officers on Wednesday.

What Happened

Omaha Police said officers had traced the suspect's vehicle to the convenience store after an earlier shooting at a grocery store roughly seven miles north of the QuikTrip. The suspect left his car, entered the store and went into the men's restroom.

Detectives and other officers entered the store to locate the suspect and called for him to come out. Police say an initial exchange of gunfire occurred while the suspect was inside the restroom, and one officer was struck during that exchange. Officers retreated and positioned themselves outside the bathroom door while continuing to try to communicate with the suspect.

Police reported there was a civilian inside the restroom during the first volley of shots; that bystander was safely escorted out before a second encounter. When the suspect exited the restroom he opened fire, injuring another officer. Officers returned fire and the suspect was killed at the scene. A third officer suffered shrapnel wounds and was also treated.

Related Injuries And Investigation

Earlier in the day, medics from the Omaha Fire Department had transported a man who was struck in the grocery-store shooting to Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition. Investigators said they identified a Hispanic man as the suspect and used the vehicle description to locate him at the QuikTrip.

As of Wednesday night, one officer wounded at the gas station had been released from a local hospital. The officers directly involved were placed on paid critical-incident leave under department policy while the Nebraska State Patrol assists with the investigation. The Omaha Police Department has not released the suspect's identity.

"Thank God the injuries facing these Omaha Police Officers are non-life threatening," Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement. "The men and women of law enforcement put their safety on the line each and every day. We must support them and keep them in our prayers."

The Omaha Police Department did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment late Thursday.

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Omaha Bystander Escapes QuikTrip Restroom Moments Before Suspect Opens Fire; Officers Return Fire - CRBC News