Update 2/1/2023:
Investigators have notified the suspect’s next of kin. He has been identified as Joseph Jones, 32, of suburban Omaha.
It was determined that Mr. Jones purchased the rifle used in this incident at Cabela’s four days prior to this incident.
The officer involved in this incident is Officer Brian Vanderheiden. He has served the Omaha Police Department for 20 years. He has been placed on paid administrative leave per department policy.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be released by the OPD Public Information Office as it becomes available.
The Omaha Police Department Officer Involved Investigations Team, assisted by the Sarpy and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating an incident that occurred at the Target at 17810 West Center Road Tuesday. OPD officers and law enforcement personnel from various county, state and federal agencies responded to a report of an active shooter inside the Target at 11:59 a.m.
OPD Uniform Patrol officers and a Nebraska State Trooper arrived at the Target and entered the store where they encountered a white male suspect armed with a rifle. Officers issued numerous loud verbal commands ordering the suspect to drop the rifle. An Omaha Police officer then fired their service handgun striking the suspect who was declared deceased by Omaha Fire Department personnel as a result of the incident.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the male suspect had fired multiple shots inside Target, and was in possession of an AR-15 style rifle and thirteen (13) loaded rifle magazines.
Following the confrontation with the suspect, officers conducted a thorough search of the store three times before declaring the scene safe. Officers did not locate any victims of gunfire, and as of the time of this press release, no victims have arrived at local hospitals. During the search officers located bullet casings inside the store.
Douglas County 911 received at least twenty-nine (29) 911 calls regarding this incident.
OPD urges anyone who was at the scene during the incident who did not speak with officers to call 402-444-4877 to share any information you may have about the incident.
The suspect will be identified once our department is able to appropriately notify next of kin.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional updates will be released by the OPD Public Information Office.
