15-year-old shot at Omaha Northwest High School; suspect in custody

OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – A 15-year-old Omaha Northwest High School student was in stable condition after being shot by a 14-year-old student at the school Tuesday afternoon, according to Omaha police.

OPD Deputy Chief Sherie Thomas said in a 2 p.m. press conference that the victim was found at the school and taken to the hospital in critical condition. In a 4:15 p.m. update with Omaha Public Schools, she said the teen was in stable condition.

All Wednesday classes and activities at the school have been canceled, school officials said. Students will return to classes as usual on Thursday.

Thomas said the shooting was an isolated incident between the two students.

She said the school’s security officer reported the shooting to police at 12:23 p.m. and police responded to the scene “immediately.”

OPD said the department sent a wireless emergency alert to the area surrounding the school. OPS said the school was placed on lockdown at 12:30 p.m.

OPS said in a later update that during the incident, several schools were quickly placed in “safety status,” meaning doors were locked and no one was allowed in or out of the building: Adams, Hartman, Pinewood and Springville elementary schools, and Davis and Hale middle schools. Those schools were back to normal by about 2:30 p.m. and classes were scheduled to end as usual.

Thomas said the suspect was arrested after a chase at 12:58 p.m. near 80th Street and Bauman Avenue. Sources told 6 News the arrest was made without incident.

In a tweet at 1:21 p.m., OPD confirmed that “there is currently no threat to public safety.”

The OPD helicopter was seen circling the area and police tape was posted on campus.

The school’s lockdown was lifted at 1:30 p.m., and students were released room by room and sent to the west side of campus near the football stadium.

After all students were reunited with their families, Principal Dr. Kimberly Jackson sent a letter to staff and families saying that resources would be made available to help deal with the aftermath of Tuesday’s incident.

“We will provide support for students and staff. It will take time to process what happened today. It’s OK to struggle. To be upset. To be angry. We will be here for each other,” she said in the letter.

SUPPORT AVAILABLE

Students and families needing immediate assistance were asked to call 1-833-980-7233 anytime, day or night, for assistance. Employees have been instructed to utilize Employee Assistance Program resources when needed.

After the shooting, both the school district and police urged patience as they worked to release students to their families.

“Police have established a security perimeter around the school grounds. While we know there is no place families would rather be with their students, we ask that they please avoid school grounds and await instructions until we learn more,” OPS said in its 1 p.m. update.

OPS shared details about the students’ release:

• Students who travel by bus will be taken away from campus first.
• Once this is completed, students who do not ride the bus every day will be handed over to the families present on site.
• Students who walk or drive to school every day will then be exempted.

OPS said in a 3 p.m. update, just before buses departed, that the majority of Northwest High School students had been reunited with their families at the school and staff was waiting with those students still awaiting pickup. In a 3:30 p.m. update, school officials confirmed that all students at the school had been reunited with their families.

SCHOOL SAFETY

OPS, Nebraska’s largest school district with about 52,000 students, does not have metal detectors in its schools, but it does have security personnel.

Every middle and high school has a School Resource Officer; police officers apply for these positions.

“When you look at the size of our schools, I don’t think metal detectors are the answer,” an OPS school official told 6 News nearly two years ago.

The impact of metal detectors is assessed differently across national studies. While some studies show that students are less likely to carry a weapon, other studies show that the presence of a metal detector can affect students’ sense of security.

THE REACTION OF THE OFFICIALS

To read Principal Dr. Kimberly JacksonThe full message to employees and families:

Dear Northwest High staff, students and families,

Our school is our second home. It is where we learn together and build a community that unites families and spans generations. I care so deeply about the students, staff and families of Northwest.

I cannot express my gratitude enough to everyone who responded today. Our students and staff followed Standard Response Protocol and demonstrated incredible strength and courage. Omaha Police and Fire Departments rushed to campus and secured our school. District staff and security teams coordinated our reunification process. Families showed patience and compassion during the agonizing wait to hold their loved ones in their arms again.

Our condolences go out to the young person injured today and his family.

Since our reunification process is complete and students are home, evening activities will be canceled. Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, will be a no-school day at Northwest High. We will welcome students back on Thursday, September 12.

We will provide support for students and staff. It will take time to process what happened today. It’s OK to struggle. To be upset. To be angry. We will be here for each other.

Open communication is important to us. We have been sharing updates every 30 minutes throughout the afternoon, and this is the final communication in this series of updates.

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, students and families can call 1-833-980-7233 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Employees can access Employee Assistance Program resources in OneOPS.

Please take care of yourselves in the coming period. We are here for you.

Congressman Don Bacon released a statement shortly after the incident on Tuesday afternoon:

“We are saddened and angry by the shooting at Omaha Northwest High School and pray for the student’s recovery. We thank the first responders who immediately cared for the victim and arrested the suspect.

At this point, it is too early to say what action should be taken as we do not know how the suspect got the gun, where it happened, etc.”

Governor Jim Pills and his wife, Susanalso made a statement:

“Based on initial information, everyone at the school responded appropriately. We are especially grateful for the quick response of local and state police who arrived at the scene and arrested a suspect. We know this has been traumatic for everyone at the school and the parents of Northwest students.”

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert released a statement on Tuesday afternoon:

“I spoke with Superintendent Ray, Chief Schmaderer and Chief Bossman about the shooting today at Northwest High School.

The immediate response of the School Resource Officer, school security personnel, and teaching and staff demonstrates the importance of training in dealing with incidents of violence in schools.

I am grateful for the quick response of the Omaha Police and Fire Departments, who provided medical attention to the injured student and arrested the suspect.

The safety of our schools’ students and staff is a responsibility we all take seriously and review regularly. This incident will certainly be reviewed to determine if additional safety measures are necessary.”

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