Omaha Officer Shot โคDuring โEncounter, Suspect in Custody
OMAHA,โ NE – An Omaha police officer is in stable condition after being shot in teh head during an early morning encounterโ with a suspect at a QuikTrip gas station,โฃ authorities said. The suspect, identified as Mills, was takenโ into custody without further incident โat a McDonald’s restaurant shortly after 6:30โ a.m.
The incident began just before 6:20 a.m. when Officer โMurcek responded to aโ report of a person refusing to leave the QuikTrip atโฃ 72nd and Dodge Streets. according to the omaha Police Departmentโ (OPD), Mills matched the description provided by 911 callers and made โcomments about the โKKK during initial contact, also claiming his car and phone where compromised.
When Murcek attempted to handcuff Mills for refusing to leave the property,a struggle ensued.OPD stated that Mills resisted and pushed away, saying “don’t touch me.” As Murcekโฃ re-approached, Mills allegedly pulledโ a handgun from his โwaistband and fired one round, strikingโ the officer in the head.
Body and security camera footage show Murcek had already drawn his Taser when Mills pulled the gun. โMurcek then switched the Taser to his left hand and โคdrew his handgun, returning fire several times before taking cover behind his cruiser. Officer Bartlett also responded and attempted โto engage Mills, โฃwho then fled โthe scene.
Policeโ were alerted to Mills’ location โฃat โa McDonald’s near โ114th Street โand West dodge Road,where OPD’s SWAT Team – responding to a โseparateโ search warrant โ- took him into custody โat 6:34 a.m. A handgun, magazines, and ammunition were recovered at the restaurant.
Mills is charged with attempted second-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, prohibited personโฃ inโฃ possession of a firearm, and two outstanding warrants from OPD and โPottawattamie County.
The investigation is ongoing. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen released โa statement offering his โคsupport, saying, “Our thoughts are with [Officer Murcek] and his family and with every Nebraska peace officerโฆthe ones who put it all โขon the line everyโฃ day to secure ourโข communities.”