Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves One Dead, Suspect Critically Injured at Florence Tower Apartments in Omaha
OMAHA, NE — April 13, 2025 — A quiet Sunday evening in North Omaha turned chaotic as an active shooter situation at the Florence Tower apartment complex, located in the 5100 block of Florence Boulevard, escalated into a deadly confrontation involving police officers and an armed suspect. One person is confirmed dead, and the suspected gunman is hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident began around 6:15 p.m., when multiple 911 calls flooded into emergency dispatchers, reporting the sound of gunfire inside the apartment complex, particularly from the sixth floor and above. Panic quickly spread through the building, as residents sought safety and officers rushed to the scene.
Intense Exchange with Armed Suspect
As Omaha Police Department (OPD) officers arrived and approached the sixth floor, they encountered a rapidly deteriorating situation. Gunfire broke out, prompting officers to issue urgent radio alerts: “Shots fired! Shots fired!” A “Help an Officer” call was immediately sent out, mobilizing additional law enforcement resources and putting tactical units on standby.
The suspect, described by witnesses as a Hispanic male wearing a jersey and armed with what appeared to be two large, high-powered rifles, allegedly opened fire on the officers during their attempt to make contact.
Police officers returned fire, striking the suspect in the lower abdomen. He was quickly stabilized at the scene and transported under Code 3 trauma conditions by OFD Medic 41 to Nebraska Medicine, where he remains in critical condition.
Multiple Emergency Units Deployed
The situation prompted a significant emergency response. Among the units dispatched to the scene were:
- Omaha Fire Department Engines 21 and 22
- Trucks 21 and 22
- Medic Units 5, 21, and 41
- Battalion 2 Command Unit
- SWAT and Emergency Response Units (ERU) placed on standby
Initially, a third possible victim was reported, but after a floor-by-floor sweep and a perimeter check, no additional casualties were confirmed. One victim was tragically pronounced dead at the scene; the identity of this individual has not yet been made public.
By 6:21 p.m., with the scene contained and the threat neutralized, OPD resumed normal radio traffic and shifted communications to a secured channel for continued coordination and investigation. Non-transporting medical units were released from the scene, and a significant law enforcement presence remained as investigators began processing evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Community on Edge, Investigation Ongoing
Residents of the Florence Tower complex remain shaken by the traumatic events, and neighbors expressed concern over the growing frequency of violent incidents in the area. “It was terrifying. I heard the shots and hit the floor,” said one resident who requested anonymity. “You never expect something like this to happen in your building.”
The Omaha Police Department has confirmed that the incident remains an active investigation, with assistance from additional law enforcement agencies. Officials are currently working to determine the motive behind the shooting and whether anyone else may have been involved.
The identities of the deceased victim and the suspect will be released pending notification of next of kin.
Police have not indicated any ongoing threat to the public, but they urge anyone with information, videos, or photos of the incident to come forward to assist with the investigation.
Community Response and Next Steps
As the Florence Boulevard community grapples with the aftermath, city leaders are expected to issue statements in the coming days. Mental health resources are being made available for residents and first responders affected by the traumatic events.
Further updates will be provided by the Omaha Police Department as more information becomes available.
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If you have any information related to this incident, please contact the Omaha Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP.
