Three police officers were injured while exchanging fire with a gunman on Wednesday afternoon at a gas station in Omaha, the authorities said. The gunman was killed, and two of the officers sustained serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.
The shootout occurred around 2:20 p.m. at a Quik Trip gas station in southeastern Omaha, Michael Pecha, a spokesman for the Omaha Police Department, said in an interview. The extent of the three police officers’ injuries was unclear as of late afternoon, he said. Two were shot, and the third was hurt by shrapnel in the exchange of gunfire. The authorities have not named the officers.
The gunman, who has not been identified, died in the gunfight, Mr. Pecha said.
About two hours before the episode at the gas station, Omaha officers were called to a report of a shooting at a grocery store in the city’s northeast. The responding police officers found a man in critical condition after what the authorities believed to be a random attack, Mr. Pecha said. The victim was taken to the hospital.
The assailant had fled the scene before officers arrived. They were, however, able to put together a description of the gunman and his vehicle.
About two hours later, another group of police officers spotted the vehicle in southeastern Omaha, Mr. Pecha said. They followed the driver for a short time before he parked at the QuikTrip. Once parked, the man entered the store and walked into the bathroom.
As the police officers walked into the store, the man opened the bathroom door and started shooting, the authorities said.
No one else was hurt in the gas station shooting, Mr. Pecha said. The motive behind both shootings is under investigation.
Mark Walker is a Times reporter who covers breaking news and culture.
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