Man arrested following officer-involved shooting in Omaha; Officer in stable condition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Omaha Police Department made an arrest in Monday morning’s shooting that sent one police officer to the hospital.

Around 6 a.m., officers were sent to the QuikTrip near 120th Street and West Dodge Road after a man had dialed 911 multiple times, making various comments before hanging up.

Shortly afterward, OPD said an additional 911 call was made from a QuikTrip employee saying a man inside the store was causing a disturbance and harassing customers.

Officer Steven Murcek, a 16-year veteran of the department, and Officer Krystal Bartlett were the initial responding officers, according to OPD.

OPD said Murcek met 36-year-old Shedrick Mills, who was standing outside the store and matched the description from 911 callers.

During initial contact, OPD said Mills made comments about the KKK and said his car and phone were compromised by people following him.

Murcek told Mills that the QuikTrip employees wanted him to leave the property, but he refused to leave, according to OPD.

Just before 6:20 a.m., Murcek tried to put handcuffs on Mills for refusing to leave.

Mills resisted and pushed away, stating “don’t touch me,” according to OPD.

As Murcek approached him again, OPD said Mills reached into his waistband, pulled out a handgun with his left hand, then pointed the gun at Murcek.

Body camera footage shows Murcek had already drawn his Taser when Mills pulled away.

According to OPD, Murcek switched the Taser to his left hand and pulled out his handgun.

Security camera footage shows Mills firing one round at Murcek, hitting him in the head.

OPD said Murcek returned fire several times before getting behind his cruiser.

Murcek told dispatch that shots had been fired, he had been injured and asked for an ambulance.

OPD said Officer Bartlett also took cover and tried to engage Mills. However, Mills ran from the scene.

Just after 6:30 p.m., police were told that Mills was in the McDonald’s near 114th Street and West Dodge Road.

OPD’s SWAT Team, who was on their way to a separate search warrant, responded to the restaurant.

OPD said they took Mills into custody without further incident at 6:34 a.m.

A handgun was found inside the McDonald’s, along with magazines and ammunition.

Murcek was taken to a local hospital by Omaha Fire & Rescue and is currently in stable condition, OPD said.

Mills is charged with attempted second-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and two unrelated warrants from OPD and Pottawattamie County.

The investigation is ongoing.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen released a statement offering his thoughts and prayers for Officer Murcek.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family and with every Nebraska peace officer, sheriff’s deputy and state trooper – the ones who put it all on the line every day to secure our communities,” Pillen said. “The first obligation of government is to keep the public safe, and the first obligation of elected leaders is to stand behind the men and women who do that work.”