The Omaha Police Department says a morning call involving a reported stabbing, fire and officer-involved shooting at the Walnut Hill apartments near 41st and Hamilton has now become a homicide investigation.
They've identified the victim as Steven Edwards.
Police responded to a call early this morning when Timothy Valentine told them Antone Page had assaulted him. Police say Page had left by the time they arrived and was not located.
About an hour and a half later, at 7:30 this morning, police and fire arrived on scene after a 911 caller told dispatchers that a neighbor was stabbed with a knife and someone poured gasoline on someone.
Police released an update late Friday night. They said officers arrived on scene and tried to enter an apartment but the door was barricaded. They noticed a working fire inside, and when they could not get the door open, one of the officers fired four gunshots into the door to open it. Police say the door then opened, Page was there and officers deployed a taser.
Firefighters pulled a man named Steven Edwards from the fire. Edwards died at CHI CUMC. Page eventually was transported to St. Elizabeth Regional Burn Center. Police say there is no indication he was hit by gunfire.
An autopsy is behind conducted on Edwards.
Police say witnesses indicate Page was assaulting Edwards before officers arrived and the fire started.
The officer who fired the gun during the incident and the officer who deployed the taser have been placed on administrative leave. That is standard procedure anytime an officer discharges a firearm.
A neighbor, Jasmine Brown told us this situation is frightening for people in the area. She worries about her children. "I don't want to stay here anymore. Because anything can happen you know and I got babies and I got to think about stuff like that and I don't want nothing bad to happen to them."
