(Omaha, NE) -- Omaha Police identify the man shot and killed by an officer after walking into a west Omaha Target, firing a rifle.
The Omaha Police Department says 32 year old Joseph Jones, of suburban Omaha, brought an AR-15 style rifle and 13 loaded rifle cartridges in the Super Target at 178th and Center Tuesday afternoon, and began firing. Investigators say the first 911 call came in at 11:59 AM, and six minutes later the call came in that Jones had been shot a killed. Police say Jones had purchased the rifle at Cabela's four day prior to the shooting.
OPD says Uniform Patrol officers and a Nebraska State Trooper arrived at the Target and entered the store where they encountered Jones. Investigators say officers issued numerous loud verbal commands ordering Jones to drop the rifle. Omaha Police say Officer Brian Vanderheiden then fired his service handgun, hitting Jones who was declared deceased by Omaha Fire Department personnel.
Omaha Police say Vanderheiden is a 20 year veteran of the department. Per department policy, Vanderheiden has been placed on paid administrative leave.
OPD urges anyone who was at the scene during the incident, who did not speak with officers, to call 402-444-4877 to share any information you may have about the incident. The investigation is ongoing.