Walmart statement in full as woman shot dead after approaching child in shopping cart and attacking him with knife

Walmart has issued a statement after a shocking incident saw a woman fatally shot by police after attacking a three-year-old child with a knife outside one of its stores.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday (April 14) when officers from the Omaha Police Department responded to an emergency call at 9:13AM at a superstore on South 72nd Street.

When officers arrived, they encountered a woman, later identified as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, armed with a large kitchen knife near the southern parking lot entrance.

She was brandishing the knife while she pulled along a shopping cart with the boy sitting inside it.

Surveillance Reveals Alleged Kidnapping and Attack

According to police, surveillance footage shows Guzman shoplifting the weapon from the store before approaching the boy and his guardian in an aisle.

The woman was seen forcing the guardian, who was a woman, to walk ahead of the cart while the child remained inside it, before leading them through the store and out into the parking lot.

Deputy Chief Scott Gray said at a press conference that Guzman "took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child."

An officer at the scene gave Guzman repeated commands to drop the knife, but she refused and instead began "swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face".

Two officers then fired their weapons, striking the suspect. A bystander and the child’s guardian removed the boy from the cart and began rendering aid, while officers attempted lifesaving measures on Guzman.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. The child was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for a large laceration on the left side of his face as well as his hand, but is expected to survive.

Walmart and Officials Respond To Incident

As the horrific incident took place outside the retailing giant, Walmart has issued a statement, saying that they are working with the police and "violence like this is unacceptable," per Sky News.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer also spoke out: "The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’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," he added.

Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. commended the officials at the scene, saying their quick response helped prevent a bigger tragedy.

The officers involved have now been placed on paid critical incident leave, KATV reported.

Scott Gray, deputy chief at the Omaha Police Department, said it is unclear what provoked Guzman but stressed that it appears to have been an isolated incident.

The incident will be investigated by the Omaha Police Department Officer-Involved Investigations Team as well as the Nebraska State Patrol, Douglas, and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices.

Featured image credit: Oklahoma Police Department