The Omaha Police Department is releasing more details of a Thursday evening officer-involved shooting.
According to a media release from Omaha Police, just after 6:30 Thursday night, officers stopped a vehicle for having no license plates at 49th and Northwest Radial Highway. Investigators say once they made contact with the driver, they discovered she didn't have a driver's license, ID, proof of ownership of the car or insurance. Police say the passenger in car, 22 year old Marcel Turner, also didn't have any form of ID on him.
OPD says while talking with the driver, the officer could smell the odor of suspected marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. "The driver confirmed she had recently smoked marijuana inside the vehicle. Due to the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, the officer had probable cause to search the vehicle." According to the release, the officer then called for a backup-officer to assist.
Investigators say during the course of the traffic stop, the officer asked the driver and Turner numerous times if they had a weapon in the vehicle, to which police say they both adamantly denied. Once the back-up officer arrived, the primary officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, according to the release. Police say as the driver was getting out of the vehicle, Turner also started to get out of the vehicle.
OPD says the primary officer yelled multiple verbal commands for Turner to stay in the vehicle. They say Turner ran from the vehicle and continued running with his hand tucked close to his abdomen, despite the primary officer’s issuance of seven distinct loud verbal commands to ‘show me your hands’. This is when Omaha Police say gun shots were fired, amid the foot pursuit. Investigators say a pistol magazine was found where Turner ran up a set of stairs and towards a residence.
According to the release, Turner was found hiding in a back yard, while a Glock handgun was found nearby. Investigators say there were multiple 911 calls from neighbors reporting that a man with a gun was running through their yard. OPD says there was also video footage showing Turner running with a gun in his hand and that during his interview, Turner admitted to having the gun. Investigators say Turner told them that he ran from the car because he was afraid. He said he heard the officer’s commands but he continued to run.
OPD says detectives on the Officer Involved Investigation Team interviewed the back-up officer who said she saw what she believed to be a gun on the male’s waistband as he ran from the vehicle. Police say all officers involved were wearing body cameras, which were activated and recorded footage of the incident. They say there is also cruiser video capturing the incident.
The Douglas County Attorney has been briefed. In accordance with an agreement with the Nebraska State Patrol, their investigators are assisting the Omaha Police Officer-Involved Investigations Team. The officers involved have been placed on Administrative Leave, per departmental policy, according to the release. Forensic firearms examinations will be completed as part of this investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Turner is facing charges of Criminal Impersonation, CCW-Gun, Unlawful Transport, Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing. He also had a warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
According to the release, the primary officer did not sustain physical injuries, but was transported to Nebraska Medicine for precautionary measures and was later released. Police say Turner suffered a minor non-life threatening graze wound from a gunshot, was treated and released.