OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Omaha Police shot an armed suspect Sunday morning near 101st and Pacific after, they say, he pointed a gun at bystanders and officers. The suspect, Matthew X. Johnson, 27, of Omaha was later pronounced dead at CUMC-Bergan Mercy Hospital.
Update 09/11/2023
In a media briefing Monday afternoon, Lieutenant Kara Platt with the OPD assault unit and officer-involved investigations team, described what occurred Sunday morning.
We now know that three Omaha Police officers are on paid administrative leave as OPD investigates. All three of these officers fired their weapons. It is not known, at this point, how many shots were fired.
Platt said when officers arrived, they tried to negotiate for five minutes until Johnson allegedly pointed the handgun he was holding at someone who was driving by and then at officers. The OPD officers then fired their weapons.
"With our policy, our use of force policy, it strictly defines when and if deadly force, use of force, especially deadly force is authorized. That is why with this particular incident, once the facts are gathered, that is submitted up our chain as well as it's submitted to a grand jury," Platt said.
Platt said that, as per state law, a Grand Jury will review body camera footage and ultimately decide if the actions by the officers were correct.
Previous information released by the police
According to OPD, Uniform Patrol Bureau officers responded to 101st and Pacific Street at 1:08 a.m. to investigate a report of an armed man who was possibly suicidal. Officers made contact with the man who was holding a handgun to his head and negotiated with the subject for over five minutes, when the suspect pointed his weapon at a bystander, and then the officers, said police. The officers then discharged their firearms striking the suspect.
Omaha Fire Department medics transported the man to CUMC-Bergan Mercy Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect was identified as Matthew X. Johnson, 27, of Omaha.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Omaha Police Department Officer Involved Investigations Team is being assisted by investigators with the Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff's Departments.
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