A 3-year-old boy was nearly kidnapped by a woman who slashed his face with a stolen knife in a Walmart in Omaha, Neb., on Tuesday, April 14.
On Tuesday morning, the suspect, Noemi Guzman, 31, shoplifted the knife from inside Walmart, according to store surveillance footage, the Omaha Police Department (OPD) said in a news release. With the knife in her hand, Guzman approached the toddler and his guardian in a shopping aisle.
She then “forced the guardian to walk ahead of the cart while the child remained inside,” per the OPD. Guzman directed the adult and child to the parking lot.
At the same time, around 9:15 a.m. local time, the OPD responded to a woman’s emergency call reporting that there was a woman armed with a “large kitchen knife” and a young boy at the Walmart at 1606 S 72nd Street.
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Two officers arrived at the location shortly after Guzman and the victims left the store and entered the parking lot. The officers located and approached Guzman, who was pushing a shopping cart with the boy inside.
“Guzman was making multiple threats with the knife,” OPD said. She was commanded multiple times to drop the knife, but refused and cut the toddler’s face. The officers then “fired their service weapons” and struck Guzman. The officers attempted to administer lifesaving measures to her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, the boy’s guardian and a bystander “immediately” removed him from the cart to provide him with aid. He was transported to the Children’s Hospital by Omaha Fire Department medics for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.
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The OPD offered “sincere condolences” to Guzman’s family and friends. The two involved officers were placed on paid critical incident leave, according to OPD policy.
Their chief, Todd Schmaderer, praised their “professionalism and direct action” resulting in saving the boy’s life. “The community can be reassured in knowing that Omaha police officers stand ready to act with courage and decisiveness in the most serious situations to protect the public.”
Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. also shared gratitude for the OPD’s “professionalism and transparency.”
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The OPD Involved Investigations Team, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices are investigating the incident.
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