April 14 (UPI) — Police shot and killed a woman at an Omaha Walmart after she allegedly slashed a 3-year-old with a knife in a kidnapping attempt, law enforcement said Tuesday.
When officers arrived at the scene around 9:20 a.m. CDT, they found a woman outside the store “holding a knife to a 3-year-old child that was in a shopping cart,” Omaha Deputy Police Chief Scott Gray said at a news conference.
“The officers gave the suspect commands,” he said. “There is video that shows the suspect swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face. Officers at that time, at least one officer, fired their weapon, and the suspect is deceased at this scene.”
Police have not released the suspect’s identity. No officers were injured, the police department said on X.
The child was taken to a hospital with a large cut on his face and hand, but he is expected to recover.
The caretaker and child didn’t know the suspect, police said. The woman approached the caretaker and showed the knife. She gave the caretaker commands to walk in front of the shopping cart, so the three of them walked into the lot.
Gray said investigators don’t know why the woman approached the caretaker and child. Police believe she stole the knife from the store.
“Violence like this is unacceptable,” a Walmart representative told KETV-TV in Omaha. “We’re working with police and supporting them in their investigation.”
Officials said there was no threat to the public.