Illegal immigrant wounds 4 officers in Nebraska gas station shootout: police

The armed suspect accused of wounding a number of officers in a gunfight at a gasoline station after allegedly taking pictures a 61-year-old man in an earlier, apparently random taking pictures has been recognized as an unlawful immigrant and convicted felon, authorities revealed Thursday.

Officers mentioned Salvadoran nationwide Juan Melgar-Ayala, 28, injured 4 officers throughout a QuikTrip in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday earlier than being killed on the scene by responding officers. Melgar-Ayala was reportedly on the run after an earlier taking pictures at a neighborhood grocery store that injured a 61-year-old man. Police mentioned the suspect had no identified motive or connection to the sufferer.

“Juan Melgar-Ayala, a convicted felon who arrived in our nation illegally from El Salvador, began a shootout with Omaha police this week — and paid the worth,” Gov. Jim Pillen mentioned Friday.

Courtroom information present Melgar-Ayala has a historical past of housebreaking convictions in Douglas County local media KETV. In 2021, he reportedly entered no-contest pleas to 2 housebreaking costs associated to a collection of enterprise burglaries and thefts. He additionally pleaded responsible in a number of traffic-related instances involving driving and not using a legitimate driver’s license or proof of insurance coverage, the outlet reported.

OMAHA BYSTANDER FLEES GAS STATION BATHROOM MOMENTS BEFORE ARMED MAN FIRES AT OFFICERS

Suspect factors a gun right into a restroom at a QuikTrip in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 3, 2025. (@TeamPillen/X)

“Detectives proceed to analyze how he obtained the gun utilized in each violent incidents,” Omaha police mentioned. “Members of the family have reported that he was affected by psychological well being points.”

Authorities mentioned six responding officers chased Melgar-Ayala to a QuikTrip, the place the suspect instantly bumped into the boys’s restroom sporting a face masks. One other bystander was reportedly within the restroom earlier than being rescued. The suspect fired at the very least 16 bullets and wounded 4 officers earlier than he was fatally shot, officers mentioned.

Authorities launched the identities of the officers, who suffered accidents from gunfire or shrapnel. Sergeant Emilio Luna suffered a gunshot wound to his foot; Detective Brock Rengo suffered a gunshot wound to his leg; Detective Jordan Brandt suffered a gunshot wound to the leg; and Detective Christopher Brown suffered a shrapnel wound to his foot, police mentioned. Detective Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop was reportedly not injured throughout the trade.

“Thank goodness the OPD officers shot by Melgar-Ayala suffered non-life-threatening accidents,” Pillen mentioned. “The women and men of regulation enforcement are heroes – and shield us day by day.”

ICE NABS DEPPORTED ILLEGAL ALIEN 3 TIMES AWARE OF ATTACK ON POLICE OFFICER: ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’

(From prime left) Detective Jordan Brandt, Sgt. Jonathan Holtrop, Detective Kyle Graber, Detective Chris Brown, Detective Brock Rengo and Sgt. Emilio Luna responded to a taking pictures throughout a QuikTrip in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 3, 2025. (Omaha Police Officers Affiliation)

Earlier than the gunfight on the gasoline station, Melgar-Ayala allegedly opened hearth on Michael Kasper, 61, on the Phil’s Foodway comfort retailer. Kasper was reportedly packing a purchasing cart when Melgar-Ayala exited his personal automobile and commenced firing a gun, hitting him a number of occasions.

Investigators discovered 15 shell casings within the car parking zone and Kasper was hospitalized in critical situation however is predicted to outlive, police mentioned.

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Omaha police are investigating an incident at a QuikTrip gasoline station that left 4 officers injured and the suspect useless in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 3, 2025. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald by way of AP)

Following the violent sequence of occasions, Pillen criticized what he described as failures in federal border coverage, saying “lax Biden-era border safety insurance policies” have allowed harmful criminals into the state.

“Sadly, after years of lax Biden-era border safety insurance policies, each state is now a border state,” he mentioned. “That is why I consider the @ICEgov detention facility in McCook is an absolute necessity. Nebraska should proceed to do our half to help @POTUS, his administration and @DHSgov of their efforts to get prison, unlawful aliens off our streets. This retains Nebraska protected. It retains America protected. I am proud we’re going the additional mile and making a distinction for our nation.”

Fox Information Digital reached out to Omaha Police and the Division of Homeland Safety for extra info.