Omaha Police Chief Defends Officer’s Use of Force in Fatal Shooting
Background
Omaha’s police chief, Todd Schmaderer, said that an officer followed protocol when he shot a fleeing, armed Nebraska man eight times this weekend, killing him. Steven Phipps, 22, is the second Black man killed by an Omaha officer in the past two months.
The Incident
Phipps was pulled over for expired plates during a traffic stop on Saturday. He ran away, and two officers chased him. Schmaderer said Phipps had a gun, which he legally owned, as he scaled a fence. The firearm was pointed at Officer Noah Zendejas as Phipps fell from the fence, and body camera video stills show the gun in his right hand as he fell.
Officer’s Account
Zendejas, who is Hispanic and has worked for Omaha police for three years, then shot Phipps. Schmaderer said Zendejas first spotted a heavy weight in Phipps’ hoodie as he ran. According to Schmaderer, Phipps did not drop the gun until after he landed.
Family’s Account
Steven Phipps’ aunt, Angela Phipps, was with the family when police showed them the full video and audio from the shooting. She said she heard Phipps repeatedly say “don’t shoot me” after he hit the ground while holding his hands and one leg up “like a Heisman pose but laying on the ground.”
Investigation
Omaha Police Lt. Neal Bonacci said that isn’t accurate because the body camera video shows most of the shots were fired while Phipps was in mid-air. Bonacci said Phipps did say something after he landed, but that was after he had already been shot.
Conclusion
The investigation is ongoing, and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine will review the case and decide whether to file charges. The shooting will also be reviewed by a grand jury under Nebraska law. The Omaha Police Department is working to rebuild trust with residents after the fatal shooting.
FAQs
Q: What happened during the incident?
A: Steven Phipps, 22, was pulled over for expired plates and ran away. He was chased by two officers and scaled a fence, pointing a gun at Officer Noah Zendejas. Zendejas shot Phipps eight times, killing him.
Q: Did the officer follow protocol?
A: Yes, according to Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, the officer followed protocol and was authorized to defend himself when Phipps pointed the gun at him.
Q: What is the investigation’s current status?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine will review the case and decide whether to file charges. The shooting will also be reviewed by a grand jury under Nebraska law.
Q: Has the officer been disciplined before?
A: No, Officer Noah Zendejas has not previously been disciplined for any use-of-force violations, according to Omaha Police Lt. Neal Bonacci.
