Nebraska Gas Station Shootout Leaves 4 Officers Injured; Police Say Suspect Was Hurt

Omaha Shootout left four police officers injured Wednesday at a QuikTrip gas station before the suspect was killed at the scene by responding officers, authorities said.

Authorities identified the suspect as Juan Melgar-Ayala, 28, a Salvadoran national. Officials said he injured four officers during the exchange of gunfire in Omaha, Nebraska, and was then shot and killed by police. Investigators said Melgar-Ayala was also being sought in connection with an earlier shooting the same day that left a 61-year-old man hurt at a neighborhood grocery store. Police said the suspect had no known connection to the victim and that a motive had not been established.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen publicly described Melgar-Ayala as a convicted felon who was in the United States unlawfully and said the suspect “started a shootout with Omaha police” before being killed. Pillen also said the injured officers were expected to survive, calling law enforcement personnel heroes.

Court records cited in local reporting indicate Melgar-Ayala had prior felony burglary convictions in Douglas County. The reporting said he entered no-contest pleas in 2021 to two burglary charges tied to a series of business break-ins and thefts, and that he also had multiple traffic-related cases involving driving without a valid license or proof of insurance.

The Omaha Police Department said detectives are continuing to investigate how the suspect obtained the handgun used in both incidents. Police also said family members reported that Melgar-Ayala had experienced mental health-related issues.

Details of the QuikTrip gunfight

Authorities said six officers pursued Melgar-Ayala to the QuikTrip location. Police said the suspect ran into the men’s restroom wearing a face mask and that another person was inside before being rescued. Officials said the suspect fired at least 16 rounds during the confrontation and that four officers were injured before the suspect was fatally shot.

Police released the names and injuries of the officers, stating the wounds were caused by gunfire or shrapnel. Sgt. Emilio Luna was reported to have suffered a gunshot wound to his foot. Detective Brock Rengo was reported to have suffered a grazing gunshot wound to his leg. Detective Jordan Brandt was reported to have suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. Detective Christopher Brown was reported to have suffered a shrapnel injury to his foot. Police said Detective Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop were not injured.

Earlier shooting at grocery store

Before the QuikTrip incident, authorities said Melgar-Ayala allegedly shot Michael Kasper, 61, in the parking lot of Phil’s Foodway. Police said Kasper was getting a shopping cart when the suspect exited his vehicle and fired multiple shots, striking him several times.

Investigators said they recovered 15 shell casings from the parking lot. Police said Kasper was hospitalized in serious condition but is expected to survive.

Political reaction and federal agencies

After the shootings, Pillen criticized federal border policy in a statement and argued for expanded detention capacity, including referencing an ICE detention facility in McCook. The report also stated that Fox News Digital contacted the Omaha Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security seeking additional information.