“We're looking at a very slow year statistically for violent crimes in the City of Omaha,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says violent crimes are down, but over the past week, gang related violence has erupted in Omaha.
“In traditional flare-ups, a few offenders can spur lots of violent moments,” said Chief Schmaderer.
On Monday there were multiple shootings. Around 9:30 p.m., police found 27-year-old Justin Scaife suffering from gunshot wounds near 43rd and Emmet. Police say an hour before that, 19-year-old Drelin Perkins was shot near 43rd and Grand.
Around 4:30 in the afternoon, police say 16-year-old Brandon Garrett and 20-year-old Percy Eubanks were taken to the hospital after being shot. Witnesses tell police two cars were shooting at each other near Westroads Mall.
“Things calm down for a while, then someone says something about someone else on Instagram or somewhere and the next thing you know, you have a shooting. Then they have to retaliate,” said OPOA Treasurer Dennis Sexton.
Omaha Police Officers Association Treasurer Dennis Sexton says these young men are putting the city at risk by thinking they're invincible.
“It's dangerous for us, but it's dangerous for the public too. This is craziness,” said Sexton.
Take 20-year-old Percy Eubanks for example. Reports indicate he was not only shot on Monday, but he was also shot a month before that.
“Having the same kids, carry the same guns, get in the same trouble over and over, it doesn't make anything easier for us,” said Sexton.
OPOA says they can’t stress it enough; changes in the legislature need to be made to impose tougher sentences, especially for repeat offender or violent days like Monday will continue to happen.
“If they believe they're not going to get any true punishment, there is no reason to quite doing it,” said Sexton.
So far no arrests have been made in Monday’s shootings.
