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Published 12:20 15 Apr 2026 GMT
Chilling new detail emerges about woman shot dead after attacking child in cart with knife
Police in Omaha, Nebraska, have revealed further information about a fatal police shooting that followed an attempted kidnapping at a Walmart store on Tuesday.
The incident began at around 9:15 a.m. at a Walmart near 72nd and Pine Streets.
Police say officers quickly responded after Noemi Guzman was seen with a three-year-old boy sitting in a shopping cart with a large knife.
Officers repeatedly ordered her to drop a knife, but instead, she began attacking the child. At that point, both officers discharged their weapons, shooting Guzman.
The aftermath of the police shooting
Immediately after, the child’s guardian and a bystander pulled the boy from the cart and began helping him.
He was later taken to hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
Officers also tried to save Guzman’s life at the scene, but she was pronounced dead.
Investigators later determined through surveillance footage that Guzman had taken a large kitchen knife from inside the store before approaching the child and guardian.
She allegedly forced the guardian to walk ahead while she controlled the cart and attempted to move them toward the parking lot.
Officers intercepted them as they were leaving the store and heading toward the exit.
New details emerge
According to the Omaha Police Department, 31-year-old Guzman had prior legal issues, including an arrest two years ago linked to a fire at her father’s home, as well as an alleged break-in at a church rectory, and had been due for an annual review on June 12.
After that incident, she was found not guilty by way of insanity.
The officers involved have since been placed on paid leave, in line with department policy, and will be formally interviewed.
The investigation remains ongoing, led by the department’s Officer-Involved Investigations Team with support from the Nebraska State Patrol and local sheriff’s offices.
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer praised the response, stating: “The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life.”
He added, “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.”
Deputy Chief Scott Gray also reassured the public, saying: “There is no threat to the public,” in an update shared shortly after the incident.
At the time, the store was temporarily cleared as investigators worked to understand what led up to the attack.
In a statement, Walmart said: “Violence like this is unacceptable. We’re working with police and supporting them in their investigation.”
Traffic in the area was briefly disrupted, with the store closing temporarily, but it later reopened the same afternoon.