US3 min(s) read
Published 09:59 15 Apr 2026 GMT
A woman was shot dead by police in a Walmart parking lot after she kidnapped a child and slashed them with a large knife.
Police responded to a Walmart in Omaha, Nebraska, just after 9.10AM after reports that a woman armed with a "large kitchen knife" had taken a young child.
The terrifying incident was caught on body-worn cameras, showing the woman - who Omaha Police Department later identified as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman - brandishing the knife while she pulled along a shopping cart with the three-year-old boy sitting inside it.
Surveillance footage also showed Guzman shoplifting the knife from the store before approaching the boy and his guardian in an aisle, per police.
Guzman was seen forcing the female shopper 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."
A two-officer patrol unit confronted Guzman in the parking lot as she stood by the cart with the child still inside, and she continued to make threats with the knife, ignoring pleas from the police to drop the weapon, and slashed the boy, according to authorities.
According to reports, she began "swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face".
Footage from the body-worn cameras showed Guzman holding the large knife near the boy's face as a police officer drew their gun, before the two officers fired and struck Guzman.
The toddler's guardian and a bystander immediately rushed to remove the boy from the cart and provided him with medical aid.
Lifesaving measures were given to Guzman but she died at the scene, police confirmed.
The child was taken to 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.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said in a statement: "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."
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.
A Walmart spokesperson said "violence like this is unacceptable", as the company confirmed it is cooperating with the investigation.
The department added in a statement: "The Omaha Police Department offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Guzman during this difficult time."
It is not believed that Guzman knew the boy or his guardian and her motive for taking him is unknown.
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