Man who shot at officers at QuikTrip had prior felonies, court documents show
Omaha Police released the name of the suspect in two Omaha shootings Wednesday that injured one victim and four police officers.Investigators say 28-year-old Juan Melgar-Ayala was the suspect in a North Omaha grocery store shooting and a South Omaha shootout with officers. Police shot and killed Melgar-Ayala Wednesday during the shootout. Court documents show that Melgar-Ayala had prior burglary felonies in Douglas County. In 2021, he pleaded no-contest to two counts of burglary for breaking into multiple businesses and stealing supplies. He also pleaded guilty to several traffic misdemeanors for not having a valid driver's license or vehicle insurance.Watch: Omaha police identify suspect, four officers injured in shooting at QuikTripOPD says Melgar-Ayala is from El Salvador and is not a U.S. citizen. Investigators say they have not identified a motive or connection between Melgar-Ayala and 61-year-old Michael Kasper, the man he shot in the chest several times at Phil's Cash Saver Wednesday morning. Omaha Police said assault and gang unit detectives located Melgar-Ayala's vehicle near 36th and Q streets. Surveillance of his vehicle led them to the QuikTrip near 32nd and L streets. READ MORE: Three Omaha police officers injured in shooting, suspect dead after incident at a QuikTripOfficers watched Melgar-Ayala walk into the gas station, then into the restroom. Police called for backup before entering the store. Attempts were made to call out to Melgar-Ayala in the restroom several times. The officers then gave "multiple loud verbal commands," asking him to come out.Body camera footage shows Melgar-Ayala leaving the far stall and firing at officers near the restroom exit. Omaha police said officers then returned fire and retreated, getting an uninjured civilian out of the bathroom.READ MORE: Nebraska leaders react to shooting that injured 3 officers, killed suspectOne officer was hit by gunfire during the exchange, and one was hit by shrapnel, according to police. Officers called for help, requesting additional resources. OPD asked again for Melgar-Ayala to leave the restroom and drop his weapon, in both English and Spanish.Melgar-Ayala comes out and fires at officers again, hitting another. Officers returned fire, hitting him multiple times. Melgar-Ayala collapsed, and officers began life-saving measures. He died at the scene.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
