Omaha police identify suspect, four officers injured in shooting at QuikTrip
Omaha police identified all of the parties involved in both incidents that injured four officers and a civilian and killed the suspect.According to the Omaha Police Department, officers have not identified a motive or a connection between the suspect, 28-year-old Juan Melgar-Ayala, and the victim at Phil's Cash Saver, 61-year-old Michael Kasper.Investigators said Kasper got to the grocery store, and shortly after exiting his truck to grab a unattended shopping cart, Melgar-Ayala got out of his own vehicle and started shooting at Kasper, who was hit multiple times.READ MORE: Witness describes moments gunfire erupted inside gas station during shooting that injured Omaha police officersPolice said Melgar-Ayala then got back into his vehicle and drove away.Officers recovered 15 casings from the parking lot.Kasper is in serious condition, but he is expected to survive.OPD 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.Investigators said Melgar-Ayala went into the bathroom at the gas station.Additional officers were called to the scene before officers made contact. OPD said once more officers arrived at the scene they tried to make contact with Melgar-Ayala, who was in the far stall. The officers then gave "multiple loud verbal commands," asking him to come out.According to OPD, body-worn camera footage showed Melgar-Ayala come out of the stall and started firing at officers that were by the bathroom's entryway.Omaha police said officers then returned fire and retreated, getting an uninjured civilian out of the bathroom. During this exchange, one officer was hit by gunfire and another was hit by shrapnel, OPD said. Officers called for help, requesting additional resources. OPD said officers gave more commands in both English and Spanish for Melgar-Ayala to disarm himself and come out of the bathroom.According to police, about one minute and 40 seconds later, Melgar-Ayala exited the restroom and began firing at officers again. Officers returned fire, hitting him multiple times.Police said Melgar-Ayala collapsed and officers immediately began life-saving measures. He died at the scene.READ MORE: Three Omaha police officers injured in shooting, suspect dead after incident at a QuikTripThe preliminary investigation found Melgar-Ayala fired 16 rounds at officers, and he had additional ammunition. Six Omaha officers fired their weapons during the two exchanges, totaling 51 rounds.The officers involved include:Sgt. Jonathan HoltropSgt. Emilio Luna Det. Brock RengoDet. Jordan BrandtDet. Christopher BrownDet. Kyle GraberLuna and Brandt were shot, Rengo was grazed by a bullet, and Brown was injured by shrapnel.According to OPD, Melgar-Ayala was from El Salvador and was not a legal U.S. resident. They also said he was a convicted felon.Family has reported he suffered from mental health issues.READ MORE: Nebraska leaders react to shooting that injured 3 officers, killed suspect“The Omaha Police Department is a professional agency committed to confronting the most dangerous threats to our community. Our citizens can take comfort in knowing that OPD officers willingly put themselves in harm’s way to save lives. I am proud of the men and women of the Omaha Police Department, and I am thankful that our injured officers and citizen are expected to recover," said Chief Todd Schmaderer.Per Nebraska statute a grand jury will investigate the incident.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 |
