Omaha police identify officer injured, 36-year-old man arrested in shooting
A 36-year-old man was arrested for a shooting that injured an Omaha police officer early Monday morning.Around 6 a.m., Omaha police officers responded to the QuikTrip, located near 119th Street and West Dodge Road, for a "nature unknown" after a man had called 911 multiple times and made "various comments," before hanging up, officials said. An additional 911 call from QuikTrip employees reported a man inside the store causing a disturbance.The initial responding officers, identified as Steven Murcek and Krystal Barlett, arrived at the scene first at 6:11 a.m. and made contact with Shedrick Mills, Omaha police said. Mills was standing outside the store and matched the description provided by the employees."During the initial contact, Mr. Mills made statements referencing the 'KKK' and claimed his vehicle and phone were being compromised by people following him," Omaha police said.Mills refused multiple requests by officers to leave and was told that he would be arrested for failure to leave the property, investigators said.At 6:19 a.m., Murcek attempted to place Mills in handcuffs, but he resisted and pushed away, stating, "Don't touch me." Omaha police said as Murcek approached him again, Mills reached into his waistband, pulled out a handgun with his left hand and pointed the weapon at Murcek.Video: Suspect in handcuffs after shooting that injured Omaha police officerBody-worn camera footage shows Murcek had already drawn his stun gun when Mills initially pulled away, investigators said. The officer then moved the stun gun to his left hand and drew his service weapon. Surveillance footage from the area shows Mills firing one round at Murcek, hitting him in the head.Omaha police said Murcek returned fire multiple times before getting behind his cruiser. He then told dispatch that shots had been fired, he was injured and requested an ambulance while issuing a "help an officer" broadcast.Police radio shows moments of shooting that injured officer in OmahaInvestigators said Bartlett took cover and attempted to engage the suspect, but Mills ran from the scene. At 6:31 a.m., dispatchers received information that Mills was inside the McDonald's near 114th Street and West Dodge Road.Omaha police said the department's SWAT personnel, who were en route to serve a separate search warrant, responded to the McDonald's and took Mills into custody at 6:34 a.m. without further incident.A handgun was found inside McDonald's, along with magazines and ammunition, according to officials.READ MORE: Omaha police officer injured in shooting is alert and talking, Chief Todd Schmaderer saysMurcek, a 16-year veteran of the department, was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition, Omaha police said. Bartlett has been with the department for one year.Mills was not injured during the incident. Investigators said he will be charged with attempted second-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, prohibited person in possession of a firearm (fugitive from justice), and two unrelated warrants from OPD and Pottawattamie County, Iowa. The incident is still under investigation with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
