The undocumented immigrant who shot and killed a 61-year-old man while injuring four police officers in Omaha had a history of violent crime, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Juan Ayala Ramos, a 28-year-old from El Salvador, previously known as Juan Melgar Ayala, injured four officers at a KwikTrip convenience store in Omaha before being shot dead by law enforcement. This incident occurred on a Wednesday, following an earlier shooting at a nearby grocery store that left Michael Kasper, 61, critically hurt. Authorities noted that there was no known motive linking Ayala-Ramos to the victim.
Previously, Ayala-Ramos had a criminal record that included an assault charge for strangulation in 2019, along with arrests for robbery and possession of a stolen firearm in 2021.
As reported by DHS, Ayala-Ramos entered the United States illegally as an unaccompanied minor in June 2007; his deportation proceedings were closed by an immigration judge not long after.
DHS officials expressed concern about the release of undocumented individuals who have committed violent offenses, risking public safety.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of DHS, stated that despite previous arrests, Ayala-Ramos remained active in American society. She described the situation as tragic, extending condolences to Kasper and the injured officers, emphasizing that the police response was commendable.
Ayala-Ramos had felony robbery convictions in Douglas County, and according to court records, he had previously pleaded no contest to theft charges and faced multiple traffic violations.
Omaha police mentioned that Ayala-Ramos’s family had reported mental health concerns. Investigators are currently looking into how he acquired the firearms used in both incidents.
During the attack, responding officers tracked Ayala-Ramos, who had fled to the QuikTrip. Witnesses noted that he quickly donned a mask and took cover in the men’s restroom before firing at least 16 shots, wounding four officers in the process.
The injured officers comprise Sergeant Emilio Luna and Detectives Brock Rengo, Jordan Brandt, and Christopher Brown, each sustaining injuries primarily from gunfire or shrapnel. Fortunately, they escaped life-threatening injuries.
Prior to the events at the gas station, Ayala-Ramos had shot Michael Kasper multiple times outside a Phil’s Foodway grocery store while Kasper was simply retrieving a shopping cart.
Authorities found several shell casings at the crime scene, and while Kasper was hospitalized in serious condition, he is expected to survive.
Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen remarked that this incident highlights the necessity for the state’s continued support for federal efforts to remove criminal undocumented immigrants. He noted that the situation underscores the need for safety in Nebraska and throughout America, expressing gratitude that no officers sustained life-threatening injuries.
