Crime
One Dead, Suspect critically injured after officer-involved shooting in Omaha
OMAHA, NE — Authorities are investigating a critical incident at the Florence Tower apartment complex in the 5100 block of Florence Boulevard following a report of an active shooter on the evening of Sunday, April 13.
The situation escalated into an officer-involved shooting, leaving one person dead and the suspected gunman critically injured.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., multiple 911 calls were placed to report gunfire within the building.
Initial callers reported hearing several shots fired on or above the sixth floor.
Responding Omaha Police Department (OPD) officers immediately requested Omaha Fire Department (OFD) medical units to stage nearby as a precaution.
As officers approached the sixth floor, gunfire erupted. Officers broadcast urgent radio calls declaring “Shots fired! Shots fired!” and issued a “Help an Officer” alert.
A suspect — described as a Hispanic male wearing a jersey and reportedly armed with two large firearms — allegedly fired on police officers as they attempted to make contact. One caller described the weapons as resembling high-powered rifles.
Additional OFD units, including Engines 21 and 22, Trucks 21 and 22, Medic Units 5, 21, and 41, and Battalion 2, were dispatched to the scene.
Emergency Response Units (ERU) and SWAT were also notified and placed on standby as the situation developed.
During the exchange, at least two individuals were confirmed shot. One person was declared deceased at the scene.
The suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen and was transported by OFD Medic 41 to Nebraska Medicine with lights and sirens under Code 3 trauma conditions.
A third potential victim was initially reported but could not be located after a thorough search. At 6:21 p.m., Omaha Police resumed normal radio traffic, and the incident was moved to a secure event channel (B2), no longer broadcast to the public.
Non-transporting OFD units that provided manpower support were released and returned to service shortly after the scene was secured.
The identities of those involved have not been released at this time.
The incident remains under active investigation by the Omaha Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Further updates are expected as investigators process the scene and gather witness statements.
Authorities have confirmed that the deadly shooting at Brown University occurred inside a first-floor classroom within the Barus and Holley Engineering Building. Investigators believe all 11 victims were students.
Two individuals were pronounced dead, while the remaining victims were transported to area hospitals.
One additional victim was later confirmed to have sustained injuries from bullet fragments and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to Providence Police, the suspect fled the building immediately after the shooting, exiting onto Hope Street and then moving toward the Waterman Street area.
More than six hours after the incident, the suspect remains at large.
Officials stated that there is no interior surveillance footage of the shooter inside the Barus and Holley building.
Authorities have also been unable to determine how the suspect initially entered the building or precisely where he went after fleeing the scene.
Police described the suspect as a male, possibly in his 30s, dressed in black.
Investigators are also reviewing video evidence that may show the suspect wearing a camouflage-style face covering, though that detail has not yet been fully confirmed.
The incident unfolded shortly after 4:20 p.m., when Brown University issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering Building.
Students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents were instructed to shelter in place, lock doors, silence mobile devices, and remain hidden.
The alert emphasized standard emergency guidance: evacuate only if it was safe to do so, hide if evacuation was not possible, and take defensive action only as a last resort.
At approximately 5:27 p.m., the university issued a follow-up alert reporting additional shots fired near Governor Street, about two blocks from the original scene.
Minutes later, the Providence Police Department confirmed that multiple people had been shot in the area surrounding the campus.
During an evening news conference, Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara said investigators believe a firearm was used in the attack, though no weapon has been recovered and the type of firearm remains unknown.
Police confirmed there was no direct interaction between officers and the suspect, who fled on foot before law enforcement arrived.
Authorities also addressed reports of a separate police confrontation involving gunfire several blocks away.
Officials clarified that while that incident initially led to reports of a suspect being detained, investigators have not established a confirmed connection between that encounter and the Brown University shooting.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that no suspect is currently in custody and emphasized that Brown University officials, the Providence Police Department, and the FBI are working in close coordination to locate the individual responsible.
The Barus and Holley Engineering Building, constructed in 1965, houses classrooms, laboratories, offices, and lecture halls for the university’s engineering and physics departments and was occupied at the time due to scheduled exams.
As of the latest update, the shelter-in-place order remains in effect.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area while the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not released identifying information about the victims, citing respect for the families and the active nature of the investigation.