Man accused of shooting at officers in Omaha arrested after standoff

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man accused of shooting at officers was arrested Friday morning, ending a nightlong search in eastern Nebraska.

Jason Davenport, 42, was taken into custody after a standoff in Washington County, the Nebraska State Patrol said.

The eventful night began about 8:15 p.m. Thursday at a home near 30th and L streets in Omaha.

Law enforcement was trying to arrest Davenport, a Council Bluffs, Iowa, man who the patrol said was wanted after fleeing from law enforcement last week.

About 8:15 p.m. Thursday, law enforcement was trying to arrest Davenport at a home near 30th and L streets. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, man had a warrant after fleeing from law enforcement last week, the patrol said.

But Davenport refused to come out of the home, authorities said.

He finally exited just before 9 p.m. and fired at least two shots from a handgun, according to the patrol.

“We certainly weren’t anticipating violence at this scene,” said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the patrol. “But as you know, things can change rather quickly.”

Davenport jumped over a fence, the patrol said, and tried to steal an unoccupied patrol cruiser.

Multiple troopers and an officer with the Omaha Police Department then opened fire, according to the patrol.

The cruiser had security measures that thwarted Davenport, authorities said.

The patrol said he also tried to take a rifle, but that also had an anti-theft device.

Then a Ford Fusion drove up to Davenport.

A woman who was in the home with him, 40-year-old Dana Banks, got out of the car.

Davenport held Banks in front of him as he got in the driver’s seat, according to the patrol.

At first, troopers thought Banks was a hostage. But they now say she “voluntarily” got in the car with Davenport.

Police chased them but lost sight of the car about 2 miles to the south, in Upland Park.

Officers from multiple agencies searched the area, according to the patrol, and OPD and state patrol helicopters circled overhead.

But after about two hours, the patrol said there was no sign of Davenport, Banks or the car.

Overnight, Davenport switched vehicles, the patrol said.

After 3 a.m., a Washington County sheriff’s deputy spotted a Kia Soul that was thought to be stolen.

The driver fled as the deputy tried to pull over the Kia, according to troopers.

After a short chase, the patrol said Davenport and Banks got out of the car and ran.

Authorities said they hid in a semitrailer cab inside a shop building near Kennard, which is about 25 miles north of Omaha.

A standoff ensued when they refused to get out of the semi, according to the patrol.

Davenport showed his gun and defied commands to drop it, the patrol said, so troopers shot at him.

Banks surrendered and was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound. Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Authorities said Davenport still would not come out, so they used an armored vehicle to get into the semi and sent in a dog just after 8 a.m.

Davenport was taken into custody and also taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The patrol said charges are pending against Davenport and Banks in Douglas and Washington counties.

No law enforcement officers were wounded. All troopers who fired their guns are on leave, per state patrol policy.