In Omaha, a confrontation involving police officers and a “large aggressive dog” led to two bystanders being injured after the officers discharged their firearms in self-defense. This incident unfolded while Omaha Police Department (OPD) personnel were responding to a report concerning a person who had been evicted but was found trespassing. The confrontation prompted the temporary closure of a street for an ongoing investigation.
The situation began with a “help an officer” dispatch at 11:18 a.m. Lt. Neal Bonacci of the OPD detailed that the officers were investigating a trespassing incident when they were attacked by a large, aggressive dog, prompting them to open fire in defense.
During this defensive action, two females who were nearby inadvertently became victims, suffering gunshot wounds to their legs; one of the injured was identified as a young female. Their injuries, though serious, were not expected to be life-threatening, and they were promptly provided medical attention at a hospital.
According to Lt. Bonacci, the officers involved were equipped with body cameras at the time of the incident. To protect themselves, they aimed and fired at the dog, with at least one officer discharging multiple shots, estimated to be between three to five rounds. The dog, believed to be a Rottweiler although its breed has not been officially confirmed, was fatally shot. Ownership of the dog remains unclear.
Following the incident, OPD advised the public through a tweet to avoid the vicinity, specifically noting the closure of 16th Street at Farnam Street and one block south, as a part of the active police investigation. Traffic was reported to have resumed in the area around 1 p.m.
