DHS: Omaha QuikTrip shooter entered U.S. as unaccompanied minor, had violent criminal record
Department of Homeland Security identified the Omaha QuikTrip shooter as Juan Ayala‑Ramos, a Salvadoran national who entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in June 2007 and whose removal case was closed; DHS and local records say he had a violent criminal history, including a 2019 assault‑by‑strangulation charge and 2021 arrests and no‑contest pleas tied to burglaries and a stolen firearm, and is accused of an earlier grocery‑store shooting that critically wounded 61‑year‑old Michael Kasper. Omaha police say Ayala‑Ramos fired at least 16 rounds at officers at the QuikTrip — body‑camera footage shows him aiming — before being fatally shot; four officers were wounded (Sgt. Emilio Luna: gunshot to foot; Det. Jordan Brandt: gunshot to leg; Det. Brock Rengo: graze to leg; Det. Christopher Brown: shrapnel to foot), and investigators are probing how he obtained the handgun amid family reports of prior mental‑health issues.
📌 Key Facts
- DHS identifies the suspect as Juan Ayala‑Ramos (previously reported as Juan Melgar‑Ayala), a Salvadoran national who entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in June 2007; his removal case was closed later that year.
- Officials say he was in the U.S. illegally and has a criminal history; DHS detailed prior charges including a 2019 assault‑by‑strangulation charge and 2021 arrests for burglary and possession of a stolen firearm, with local court records showing no‑contest pleas to two burglary charges tied to business break‑ins.
- Investigators say the suspect carried out an earlier, seemingly random shooting at Phil’s Foodway that seriously wounded 61‑year‑old Michael Kasper, then later opened fire at a QuikTrip, where at least 16 rounds were fired (15 shell casings recovered).
- Body‑camera footage shows the suspect aiming at officers; officials say he fired at least 16 rounds before being fatally shot by police.
- Omaha Police say four officers were injured: Sgt. Emilio Luna (gunshot wound to foot), Det. Brock Rengo (graze wound to leg), Det. Jordan Brandt (gunshot wound to leg), and Det. Christopher Brown (shrapnel injury to foot); Det. Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop were uninjured.
- OPD is investigating how the suspect obtained the handgun, and family members reported he had mental‑health issues.
- Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statement praising the officers and noting the suspect’s immigration and felony status; Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin publicly condemned the attacks and offered condolences to the wounded civilian and officers.
📰 Sources (3)
DHS exposes violent record of illegal alien who shot police officers, critically injured civilian
New information:
- DHS identifies the suspect as Juan Ayala-Ramos (previously reported as Juan Melgar-Ayala), a Salvadoran national who entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in June 2007; his removal case was closed by an immigration judge later that year.
- DHS details prior criminal history including a 2019 assault by strangulation charge and 2021 arrests for burglary and possession of a stolen firearm; local court records show no‑contest pleas to two burglary charges tied to business break‑ins.
- Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued on‑record statements condemning the attacks and offering condolences to the wounded civilian and officers.
- Omaha Police named the injured officers and specified injuries: Sgt. Emilio Luna (gunshot wound to foot), Det. Brock Rengo (graze wound to leg), Det. Jordan Brandt (gunshot wound to leg), and Det. Christopher Brown (shrapnel injury to foot); Det. Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop were uninjured.
- Body‑camera footage shows the suspect aiming at officers; officials say he fired at least 16 rounds before being fatally shot by police.
- OPD noted family reports of the suspect’s mental‑health issues and said detectives are investigating how he obtained the handgun.
- Civilian victim identified as 61‑year‑old Michael Kasper remains in serious condition after the earlier grocery‑store shooting allegedly by the same suspect.
Police say criminal illegal alien injured 4 officers in Nebraska gas station shootout
New information:
- Suspect identified as Juan Melgar-Ayala, 28, a Salvadoran national in the U.S. illegally and a convicted felon.
- Police now say four officers were injured (previous reports noted three); OPD named the injured officers and described their wounds.
- Officials detailed an earlier, seemingly random shooting at Phil’s Foodway that seriously wounded 61-year-old Michael Kasper.
- Investigators say the suspect fired at least 16 rounds at the QuikTrip; 15 shell casings were recovered at the grocery scene.
- OPD says it is investigating how the suspect obtained the handgun; family reported mental health issues.
- Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statement praising officers and noting the suspect’s immigration and felony status.