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In a horrifying turn, Guzman slashed the child across the face, leaving officers with no time to hesitate. Faced with an imminent threat to the child’s life, both officers discharged their weapons, striking Guzman and ending the attack instantly.
The official report from the Omaha Police Department provides a detailed account of the incident:
“The Omaha Police Department’s Officer-Involved Investigations Team is investigating an incident that occurred Tuesday morning leaving one woman dead and a child injured.
Uniform Patrol Bureau officers responded to Wal-Mart at 1606 S 72nd Street for a “nature unknown” emergency call at 9:13 a.m. Initial information provided to 911 was from a female caller requesting police assistance. This female stopped providing information to the call taker. An additional 911 caller indicated there was a woman armed with a “large kitchen knife” with a young child.
A two-officer patrol unit arrived at the location where the officers immediately exited their cruiser to approach the armed woman, later identified as Noemi Guzman, 31, who was near the southern parking lot entry standing by a shopping cart with a 3-year-old boy inside. Ms. Guzman was making multiple threats with the knife.
Officers gave multiple verbal commands for Ms. Guzman to drop the knife. She refused to drop the weapon and cut the boy. The two patrol officers fired their service weapons striking Ms. Guzman.
The child’s guardian, along with a bystander, immediately removed the child from the cart and rendered aid to him. Officers began lifesaving measures on Ms. Guzman; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital by Omaha Fire Department medics for treatment. The boy’s injuries are considered non-life threatening.
Investigators later determined through store surveillance footage that Ms. Guzman had shoplifted the knife from inside the store. She then approached the child and guardian in a shopping aisle, brandished the knife, and forced the guardian to walk ahead of the cart while the child remained inside.
Ms. Guzman directed them through the store and into the parking lot. Officers arrived shortly after Ms. Guzman, the guardian, and child exited the store and began walking east toward the parking lot entrance.”
Authorities say the swift response by officers prevented what could have been a far worse outcome. The young boy, though injured, is expected to recover.
“The responding officers acted with professionalism and direct action to intervene and save a child’s life,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. “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.”
Omaha Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. also praised the officers’ actions, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the importance of their quick response.
“I am grateful for the department’s professionalism and transparency,” he said.
As the investigation continues, multiple agencies—including state and county authorities—are working together to fully examine the incident.
Meanwhile, support for the young victim has already begun pouring in. A fundraising campaign has been launched to assist with medical costs, therapy, and the ongoing needs of recovery.
But as more details come to light, the case is raising serious questions about how this situation was allowed to happen in the first place.
Records reveal that Guzman had a troubling past involving violent behavior. Previous incidents reportedly included an attack on her own father involving a knife, setting a home on fire, and unlawfully entering a church residence while a priest was inside.
Despite the severity of those allegations, she was released on bond and later found not responsible for several felony charges due to insanity. Instead of incarceration, the court placed her in a community-based treatment program that allowed her to live outside of confinement.
A court review of her status had been scheduled for mid-2026—but that review will now never happen.
For many, the focus remains on one undeniable truth: without the swift and courageous actions of responding officers, a young child’s life may have been lost.
