Omaha Police: No public threat after shooting on Keystone Trail

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Omaha Police are still looking for the gunman after a woman was injured Thursday while walking on the Keystone Trail, but told 6 News they don’t believe there’s any concern for public safety.

OPD Officer Chris Gordon told 6 News that investigators believe two people were shooting at one another and that a bullet shot downrange grazed the victim.

The incident was reported just before noon Thursday, prompting a large police presence in northwest Omaha. Police said later that a woman was grazed by a bullet in the right leg while walking on the trail near the baseball diamond at Esther Pilster Park.

OPD said that first responders treated her wound at the scene before she was transported to a nearby hospital.

“Officers spoke with the victim, an adult female who stated she was walking along the Keystone Trail when she and another friend heard approximately four gunshots in the area,” an OPD release sent Thursday afternoon states.

The incident was reported just before noon near 88th Avenue and Boyd Street, located between Fort and Maple streets.

Police were dispatched around the park to secure the area and look for the gunman, who had fled the scene. OPD Lt. Jennifer Russell said police had received a description of a person fleeing but that officers weren’t sure whether that person was a suspect or was fleeing to safety.

Russell said during her update from the scene early Thursday afternoon that a vehicle had also been stopped in the area and that a person had been detained for questioning, but couldn’t yet verify whether that person was a witness or a suspect.

Police vehicles were seen on the park green and speeding around the area with sirens on. 6 News also saw officers nearby with guns drawn shortly after the shooting was reported.

An OPD helicopter and police K-9s from around the area were also assisting with the search.

Omaha Police had blocked off much of 90th Street near Tomahawk Boulevard nearby at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday. A large police presence was also seen in a nearby wooded area north of the park. The rough terrain was making the search in that area a bit difficult, Russell said.

“Anytime you have a wooded area like this, Able 1 comes to search, there are different tools that they use. If it is clear for cameras and so forth, and with those cameras it causes problems when you have thick wooded areas. In this particular area, we’re dealing with a creek through a wooded area, so the terrain is rough to go through.”>

OPD said they don’t have any suspects yet, but that the investigation was ongoing.

Anyone with information on this shooting was encouraged to call 911 or contact Omaha Crimestoppers at 402-444-STOP; you can also submit a tip using the P3 Tips app. OPD reminded the public that tips leading to the arrest of a shooting suspect are eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.

—

This is a developing story. Stay with 6 News for updates.

Reporter Bella Caracta contributed to this report.

Copyright 2023 WOWT. All rights reserved.