Omaha man charged for doing active shooter drill without telling employees

(Omaha, NE) -- An Omaha man is facing charges for reportedly running an active shooter drill, without telling employees the drill was going on.

Catholic Charities says earlier this year, they hired 27 year old John Channels to run an active shooter drill at their facility near 93rd and Bedford. Court documents show that Channels said he was an "Offutt Civilian Police Officer." On May 19th, Channels went to the Catholic Charities facility and began firing a handgun that was loaded with blanks, without employees being aware of what was going on. Investigators say Channels also had people located throughout the building, posing as victims smeared with blood.

Prosecutors say the employees had no idea the incident was a drill, with workers running in fear for their lives. Omaha Police, the Omaha Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Douglas County 911 dispatch also say they were not made aware of the drill beforehand.

Channels is charged with five counts of terroristic threats and one count of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. He made his first court appearance on those charges on Thursday. He is also facing first-degree sexual assault and child abuse charges in connection to the assault of a 14 year old.


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