Woman Fatally Shot by Police After Stabbing Child at Nebraska Walmart

Authorities say the suspect refused to drop a knife and injured a 3-year-old boy before officers opened fire.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:19am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a large kitchen knife, the blade reflecting a harsh, direct flash of light against a pitch-black background, conveying the serious, investigative nature of this crime-related incident.A stark, gritty image of the weapon used in a tragic confrontation between police and a suspect, highlighting the high-stakes decisions officers face when lives are at risk.Omaha Today

Police in Omaha, Nebraska, responded to an emergency call at a Walmart store where a woman armed with a knife was reportedly threatening a young child in a shopping cart. After the woman refused commands to drop the weapon and injured the 3-year-old boy, officers fatally shot the suspect.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the difficult and high-stakes decisions police face when confronting an armed suspect who poses an immediate threat to a child's life. It also raises questions about mental health resources, de-escalation tactics, and the use of lethal force by law enforcement.

The details

According to police, officers were called to the Walmart on South 72nd Street around 9:13 a.m. after 911 callers reported a woman with a large kitchen knife near a shopping cart carrying a 3-year-old boy. When police arrived, they encountered 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, who was allegedly making threats while holding the knife. After officers repeatedly told Guzman to drop the weapon, she refused and injured the child. Two officers then fired their service weapons, fatally striking Guzman. The child was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The incident occurred around 9:13 a.m. on April 17, 2026.
  • Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Noemi Guzman

A 31-year-old woman who was fatally shot by police after allegedly threatening a child with a knife at a Walmart in Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and was involved in the shooting of Noemi Guzman.

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What they’re saying

“Officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child's life.”

— Todd Schmaderer, Police Chief

What’s next

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing with assistance from state and county authorities.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the difficult situations police face when confronted with an armed suspect threatening a child's life. It raises important questions about de-escalation tactics, mental health resources, and the use of lethal force, which will likely be the subject of further scrutiny and debate.