A violent confrontation outside a Walmart in Omaha turned deadly Tuesday morning, leaving a 31-year-old woman dead and a 3-year-old child seriously injured after an attempted kidnapping escalated into a knife attack and officer-involved shooting.
The child underwent emergency surgery and is expected to survive, according to local reports.
Police were dispatched to the store near 72nd and Pine Streets after multiple 911 calls reported a woman armed with a large kitchen knife in proximity to a young child.
When officers arrived, they encountered the suspect, identified as Noemi Guzman, standing near a shopping cart with the toddler inside, creating a volatile situation.
Authorities later determined Guzman had entered the store moments earlier, taken the knife, and approached a caregiver and child inside.
She allegedly confronted them in an aisle before directing the caregiver forward while taking control of the cart, moving both individuals through the store and out into the parking lot without drawing immediate attention, 3 News Now reported.
By the time officers reached the scene, the situation had escalated quickly.
Law enforcement issued repeated commands for Guzman to drop the weapon, but she refused to comply.
Officials say she then slashed the child across the face and hand while still holding the knife, intensifying the immediate threat.
Officers responded by opening fire, striking Guzman and ending the confrontation within seconds.
The child’s caregiver and a bystander rushed in immediately, pulling the boy from the cart and providing aid before emergency responders transported him to Children’s Nebraska for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, Guzman was pronounced dead, according to the New York Post.
Police emphasized the speed at which events unfolded, noting that the child was in clear and urgent danger when officers made the decision to use force.
Officials said there is no ongoing threat to the public, describing the incident as isolated, East Idaho News reported.
Medical teams later confirmed the child suffered significant lacerations but remains in stable condition following surgery.
Family members indicated he is expected to recover, though the extent of long-term effects remains unclear, according to KETV.
Investigators reviewing surveillance footage say the sequence—from the initial confrontation inside the store to the final moments in the parking lot—unfolded in a matter of minutes.
Body camera footage and witness statements are now being analyzed to establish a precise timeline of the encounter.
Court records show Guzman had a prior record marked by findings that she posed a danger to herself and others, The Post Millennial reported.
She had previously been found not responsible by reason of insanity in an earlier case and was placed under court-ordered treatment, drawing renewed scrutiny over post-treatment oversight.
The shooting will undergo a standard review, including forensic analysis and officer interviews, as part of established protocol for incidents involving the use of deadly force.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said responding officers acted decisively to protect the child, describing their actions as necessary under rapidly evolving and dangerous conditions.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the attack.
The investigation remains active as officials continue working to piece together every stage of the incident using video evidence, witness accounts, and forensic findings.
