OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting that occurred in Benson Park Tuesday night.
Three victims were found in a parking lot at 7002 Military Ave. suffering from gunshot wounds.
Waw Gach, 18, was transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Nyanpal Tut, 19, was also transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital were her injuries were determined to be non-life threatening.
A 16-year-old girl was taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her injuries were also determined to be non-life threatening.
Police say there were 100 people in the park when the incident took place.
Mayor Jean Stothert announces that all city parks will close until April 30.
“The incident at Benson last night was tragic and unfortunate but I would say it really had nothing to do with this decision today, it had more to do with what we observed last weekend in all of our parks throughout the city,” Mayor Jean Stothert explained.
OPD Chief Todd Schmaderer says they did two compliance checks at the park prior to the shooting; one for too many people playing basketball, and the other for 40 people at a pavilion. Officers broke up both groups.
“I’m not going to talk too much about this [because] it’s under investigation but it stemmed from an altercation involving a property damage accident in the south parking lot,” Chief Schmaderer explained. “At some point in that altercation witnesses described two people get out and start shooting."
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org [police.cityofomaha.org] or on the P3 Tips mobile app.
