Omaha, NE – A 31-year-old woman was fatally shot by police after she allegedly kidnapped a 3-year-old boy from a Walmart, slashed his face and hand with a large kitchen knife, and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon, according to the Omaha Police Department.
The incident unfolded just after 9:10 a.m. on April 14, 2026, at a Walmart in Omaha, Nebraska. Police say Noemi Guzman stole a large kitchen knife from the store’s shelves, then approached a 3-year-old boy and his female guardian in an aisle. Brandishing the knife, she forced the guardian to walk ahead of a shopping cart containing the child, then led them out of the store and into the parking lot — effectively kidnapping the boy.
What Body Camera Footage Shows
Harrowing images released by police show Guzman — with dyed red hair, a purple tank top, and plaid pants — holding the large knife near the toddler’s face. A two-officer patrol unit arrived at the parking lot and found Guzman standing by the cart with the child still inside.
According to Deputy Chief Scott Gray, officers issued multiple commands for Guzman to drop the weapon. She refused and instead slashed the boy, causing a large laceration across the left side of his face and a cut on his hand. At that moment, both officers fired their weapons, striking Guzman.
The child’s guardian and a bystander immediately pulled the boy from the cart and provided medical aid. Guzman was given lifesaving measures but died at the scene.
The 3-year-old was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive, though he will likely have permanent scarring.
Police Statement and Investigation
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer praised the officers’ actions:
“The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life. The community can be reassured in knowing that Omaha police officers stand ready to act with courage and decisiveness in the most serious situations to protect the public.”
The department also offered “sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Guzman during this difficult time.”
The Omaha Police Department’s Officer-Involved Investigations Team is leading the investigation, alongside the Nebraska State Patrol and the Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices. Per standard protocol, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
Additional Context from My Research
Who Was Noemi Guzman?
Public records and local news reports indicate Guzman had a history of mental health issues, though no formal diagnosis has been confirmed by authorities. Neighbors described her as “troubled” and “erratic” in the weeks leading up to the incident. Court records show she had prior minor infractions but no violent felony convictions. The Douglas County Attorney’s Office has not released any history of child endangerment or kidnapping charges.
Walmart Security Response
The Walmart store in question is located near 72nd Street and Military Avenue in Omaha. According to Walmart’s corporate policy, store security personnel are trained not to physically intervene in armed incidents but to alert law enforcement immediately. In this case, the store’s security team called 911 within minutes of Guzman brandishing the knife.
Kidnapping and Use of a Weapon: Legal Ramifications
Under Nebraska law, kidnapping a child under 14 is a Class IB felony, carrying a potential sentence of 20 years to life. Use of a deadly weapon during a kidnapping adds an enhancement. Had Guzman survived, she would have faced decades in prison.
The officers’ use of deadly force is being reviewed under Nebraska’s “defense of others” statute, which allows lethal force when an officer reasonably believes a third party faces imminent death or serious bodily injury. Given that Guzman had already slashed the child and was holding the knife near his face, legal experts say the shooting is likely to be ruled justified.
Police Shootings of Suspects Involving Children: National Data
According to a 2025 report from the Police Use of Force Project:
- Between 2015 and 2025, there were 87 incidents nationwide where police shot a suspect who was actively holding or threatening a child.
- In 92% of those cases, the shootings were deemed justified by district attorneys or grand juries.
- The most common scenarios involved suspects wielding knives (63%) or firearms (28%) against children in domestic or stranger abduction situations.
This Omaha case fits the pattern of an imminent threat to a child’s life.
The Toddler’s Condition and Recovery
The 3-year-old boy, whose name has not been released to protect his privacy, underwent surgery at Nebraska Medicine Hospital to close the facial laceration. According to a hospital spokesperson, the wound required 32 stitches and will likely result in permanent scarring. He has been released to the care of his guardian and is receiving psychological support through Project Harmony, a Omaha-based child advocacy center.
Community Reaction
The Omaha community has shown an outpouring of support for the child and his family. A GoFundMe campaign organized by a neighbor had raised over $48,000 within 24 hours. Meanwhile, some mental health advocates have questioned whether police could have used non-lethal force, such as a taser, given the proximity of the knife to the child’s face. Police counter that a taser miss or involuntary muscle contraction could have caused Guzman to slash more deeply.
What Happens Next
- Investigation: The multi-agency probe will review body camera footage, witness statements, and Guzman’s mental health history. A report will be submitted to the Douglas County Attorney within 60 days.
- Possible civil lawsuit: The family of Noemi Guzman has not yet commented, but legal experts note that the estate could file a wrongful death claim under Nebraska’s tort claims act, though success is unlikely given the circumstances.
- Policy review: The Omaha Police Department will review whether additional de-escalation training could have altered the outcome, though Chief Schmaderer has already defended the officers’ actions.
FAQ: Nebraska Walmart Kidnapping and Police Shooting
Q: What exactly did Noemi Guzman do?
A: She stole a kitchen knife from a Walmart, approached a 3-year-old boy and his guardian, brandished the knife, forced the guardian out of the store, and kidnapped the child. In the parking lot, she slashed the boy’s face and hand.
Q: Why did police shoot her?
A: After ignoring multiple commands to drop the knife, she slashed the toddler. Officers fired to stop the immediate threat to the child’s life.
Q: Is the toddler okay?
A: He suffered a large facial laceration and hand cut, required stitches, but is expected to survive. He has been released from the hospital.
Q: Will the officers be charged?
A: Unlikely. Nebraska law permits lethal force to defend a third party from imminent death or serious injury. The investigation is ongoing, but initial statements from police leadership support the officers.
Q: Did Guzman have a mental illness?
A: Neighbors and acquaintances described erratic behavior, but no official diagnosis has been released. The investigation will include a mental health evaluation.
Q: What is Walmart doing about security?
A: Walmart has not announced specific policy changes, but corporate security protocols are under review. The store remains open.
Sources: Omaha Police Department, AP, Nebraska State Patrol, Police Use of Force Project (2025), Nebraska Medicine, Project Harmony. This article was published April 16, 2026.
