Nebraska Boy Survives Knife Attack During Walmart Kidnapping Attempt

3-year-old Cyler Hillman out of surgery after being slashed by suspect Noemi Guzman in Omaha parking lot

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:38am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's bandaged hand and wrist, lit by a harsh flash against a dark background, conveying the gritty aftermath of a violent crime.A violent attack on a young child in a public retail setting exposes the need for improved security measures and crisis intervention training to protect the most vulnerable.Omaha Today

A 3-year-old boy in Omaha, Nebraska was seriously injured after being attacked with a knife during an attempted kidnapping at a Walmart store. The child, Cyler Hillman, underwent surgery at Children's Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. Police shot and wounded the suspect, 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, after she refused to drop the knife she had shoplifted from the store.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of public safety and mental health issues in retail environments, as well as the need for improved security measures and crisis intervention training for law enforcement when responding to violent crimes involving vulnerable victims like young children.

The details

According to authorities, Guzman was making multiple threats with the knife she had stolen from the Walmart when officers arrived on the scene. Despite verbal commands to drop the weapon, Guzman refused and proceeded to slash the 3-year-old boy who was in a shopping cart. Two officers then fired their service weapons, striking Guzman. A bystander and the child's caretaker immediately intervened to provide aid to the injured boy.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 15, 2026 in the parking lot of a Walmart location near 72nd and Pine streets in Omaha.
  • Cyler Hillman underwent surgery at Children's Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

The players

Cyler Hillman

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

Noemi Guzman

A 31-year-old woman who allegedly shoplifted a knife from the Walmart and then used it to attack the young boy in the parking lot before being shot by police.

Omaha Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, gave verbal commands to the suspect, and ultimately used force to stop the attack and apprehend the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“Cyler is our little cowboy and he's going to survive this.”

— Cyler Hillman's parents

What’s next

Noemi Guzman will face charges related to the attempted kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and shoplifting. The Omaha Police Department will also review its protocols for responding to violent incidents involving vulnerable victims in retail settings.

The takeaway

This tragic event underscores the need for heightened security, mental health resources, and crisis intervention training to protect innocent bystanders, especially children, from acts of violence in public spaces like stores. It also raises questions about bail reform and the treatment of repeat offenders to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.