OMAHA, NE- The illegal alien crime wave continued last week when an armed suspect wounded multiple officers at an Omaha gas station after an earlier incident where he fired upon a 61-year-old man in a seemingly random shooting, Fox News Digital reported.
Police said the suspect, who shot at the officers, is an illegal alien and a convicted felon. Juan Melgar-Ayala, 28, injured four officers who responded to a QuikTrip convenience store last Wednesday before he was taken out by responding officers. Melgar-Ayala was on the lam after an earlier shooting at a neighborhood grocery store left the 61-year-old man injured. There was no known motive, nor did the suspect have any connection to the victim, police said.
“Juan Melgar-Ayala, a convicted felon in our country illegally from El Salvador, started a shootout with Omaha police this week—and paid the price,” Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said on Friday.
According to court records, Melgar-Ayala had a history of felony burglary convictions in Douglas County, KETV reported. In 2021, he entered no-contest pleas to two burglary charges tied to several business break-ins and thefts. He also pleaded guilty in multiple traffic-related cases involving driving without a license or proof of insurance, the outlet added.
“Detectives are continuing to investigate how he obtained the handgun used in both violent incidents,” the Omaha Police Department said in a statement. “Family members have reported he suffered from mental health-related issues.”
Six officers pursued Melgar-Ayala to the convenience store, when he immediately ran into the men’s room wearing a face mask. A bystander was reportedly in the bathroom before being rescued. The suspect fired at least 16 rounds at officers, injuring four, before being fatally shot, officials said.
“The suspect exited his car and went into the QT, and then entered the men’s bathroom. Officers entered the QT once other detectives arrived to assist. Officers attempted to call the suspect out of the bathroom, and an initial exchange of gunfire occurred,” Omaha police said.
“One officer was struck at this time. Officers retreated outside the main bathroom door and tactically positioned themselves, again calling the suspect out,” police added. “The suspect exited the bathroom and opened fire, injuring another officer. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect.”
The injured officers were identified as Sgt. Emilio Luna, who suffered a gunshot wound to his foot; Det. Brock Rengo, who suffered a bullet graze to his leg; Det. Jordan Brandt, who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg; Det. Christopher Brown suffered a shrapnel injury to his foot, police said. Two other officers, Det. Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop, were reportedly not injured during the melee.
Fox News Digital received word from the Omaha PD that Luna has since been released from the hospital.
“Thank God the OPD officers shot by Melgar-Ayala face non-life-threatening injuries,” Pillen added. “The men and women of law enforcement are heroes—and protect us every day.”
Before the shooting at the gas station, Melgar-Ayala opened fire on Michael Kasper at a local grocery store, Phil’s Foodway. Kasper was grabbing a shopping cart when, without provocation, Melgar-Ayala exited his car and began firing at Kasper, striking him several times.
Police recovered 15 shell casings from the grocery store parking lot, and Kasper was transported to a local hospital, where he was reported in serious condition, however he is expected to survive, police said.
After the shooting, Gov. Pillen slammed the Biden administration, saying that the “lax Biden-era border security policy” has allowed dangerous criminals into the state.
“Sadly, after years of lax Biden-era security policy, every state is now a border state,” he said. “That’s why I believe the @ICEgov detention facility in McCook is an absolute necessity. Nebraska must continue to do our part to assist @POTUS, his administration, and @DHSgov in their efforts to get criminal, illegal aliens off our streets. This keeps Nebraska safe. It keeps America safe. I’m proud that we are stepping up and making a difference for our country.”
The injured officers have been placed on paid critical incident administrative leave, a common policy for police officers involved in shootings.
Comments