Omaha Boy, 3, Recovering After Kidnapping Attempt, Stabbing at Walmart

Police shot and killed the suspect, Noemi Guzman, 31, who had a history of mental illness and was under court supervision.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:25pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single knife blade against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the dangerous weapon used in the attempted kidnapping and stabbing.A stark, gritty image of the knife used in the attempted kidnapping and stabbing, highlighting the dangerous weapon at the center of this traumatic incident.Lincoln Today

A 3-year-old boy in Omaha, Nebraska, named Cyler Hillman was the victim of an attempted kidnapping and stabbing at a local Walmart. The suspect, Noemi Guzman, 31, who had a history of mental illness and was under court supervision, approached Cyler and his caretaker in the store, showed a knife, and commanded them to walk outside. When Guzman raised the knife to cut Cyler, police shot and killed her. Cyler suffered a minor cut on his cheek but is recovering.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges of balancing public safety, mental health treatment, and retail security. Guzman's history of mental illness and prior criminal charges raise questions about the effectiveness of the court system and social services in preventing such violent acts. Additionally, Cyler's parents have criticized Walmart's security measures, arguing the company should have responded faster to the situation.

The details

According to police, around 9:20 a.m. on April 16, Guzman approached Cyler and his caretaker inside the Walmart, showed a knife, and commanded them to walk outside. As they walked through the parking lot, Guzman raised the knife to cut Cyler, prompting police to shoot and kill her. Cyler suffered a minor cut on his cheek and was taken to the hospital, where he is recovering. Guzman had a history of mental illness and was under court supervision after being found "not responsible by reason of insanity" for previous charges in 2024.

  • The incident occurred around 9:20 a.m. CDT on April 16, 2026.
  • Guzman was charged with four felonies in 2024 and found "not responsible by reason of insanity."

The players

Noemi Guzman

A 31-year-old woman with a history of mental illness who was under court supervision after being found "not responsible by reason of insanity" for previous criminal charges in 2024.

Cyler Hillman

A 3-year-old boy who was the victim of the attempted kidnapping and stabbing at the Omaha Walmart.

Casey Hillman

Cyler's father, who described the incident as "hectic, to say the least; stressful, very stressful ... emotional, very."

Sara Hillman

Cyler's mother, who was in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the time of the incident and criticized Walmart's security measures.

Scott Gray

Omaha Deputy Police Chief, who provided details about the incident at a news conference.

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What they’re saying

“If [police] wouldn't have reacted when they did, we wouldn't still have him. And if she had been any lower with the knife, we wouldn't have him either.”

— Casey Hillman, Cyler's father

“His big thing this morning was, 'I don't want to go outside -- it's scary.' And I had to take a minute and go sit in the corner and pretty much bawl my eyes out, because that broke my heart. That's never been that kid; he always wants to go outside. And then he asked me if I'd carry him if he went outside. And yeah, I ain't gonna let nothing happen to you, so.”

— Casey Hillman, Cyler's father

“Yet someone was able to not only steal a knife but also (hold) two people at knife-point hostage from the back of the store to the front of the store. If they would have responded like they do with most of their situations, cops would have been there before they even got to the door.”

— Sara Hillman, Cyler's mother

What’s next

The Omaha Police Department and city officials have pledged to review security protocols at local Walmart stores to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic event underscores the need for improved mental health support, better coordination between law enforcement and retail security, and a deeper examination of how the criminal justice system handles individuals with severe mental illness. Cyler's recovery and his family's resilience in the face of this trauma serve as an inspiration, but also a call to action to address the systemic issues that allowed this attack to occur.