Police fatally shoot woman in Omaha Walmart kidnapping attempt

Authorities say the woman slashed a 3-year-old's face before officers opened fire.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:03am

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An extreme close-up of a sharp knife blade reflecting a bright flash of light, conceptually representing the violence of a crime scene.A violent crime scene at a local retail store exposes the need for heightened security and crisis response protocols.Omaha Today

Police in Omaha, Nebraska, fatally shot a woman named Noemi Guzman after she allegedly slashed a 3-year-old boy's face and refused to drop a knife during an attempted kidnapping at a local Walmart store.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about public safety and security in retail environments, as well as the appropriate use of force by law enforcement when responding to violent crimes involving vulnerable victims.

The details

According to authorities, Guzman stole a knife from the Walmart store and then approached the 3-year-old child, cutting the boy's face before officers arrived. When Guzman refused to drop the knife, two police officers opened fire, fatally shooting her.

  • The incident occurred on April 15, 2026 at an Omaha Walmart store.

The players

Noemi Guzman

A woman who allegedly attempted to kidnap a 3-year-old child at an Omaha Walmart store and was fatally shot by police after refusing to drop a knife.

Omaha Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and used lethal force against the suspect.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures and staff training in retail environments to protect vulnerable customers, as well as ongoing discussions around the appropriate use of force by police when confronting violent crimes.