OPD says officers arrested 40-year-old Raynard Bass on several charges in connection with the barricaded situation.
In a news release, Omaha Police say they received a call shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday regarding a man who shoplifted at Von Maur at the Westroads. The OPD helicopter was nearby at the time and observed the suspect, later identified as Bass, leave the store in a dark-colored SUV. A marked Omaha Police cruiser attempted a traffic stop on Bass’s vehicle, which failed to stop for the officer. Officers did not pursue, and the helicopter maintained surveillance.
Investigators say while Bass was fleeing, an officer could see Bass was holding a gun in one of his hands. The helicopter confirmed this and observed Bass raise his firearm while seated in his vehicle.
Officers were able to use a tire deflation device on the vehicle, and it eventually stopped near 38th and Fort Streets. Bass exited his vehicle, and the helicopter could see he still had the firearm in his hand. Officers saw Bass enter a residence located at 5221 N. 38th St.
Officers also saw two children and a woman at the front of the home, and they were safely moved away from the residence. Officers surrounded the home and, through a window, could clearly see Bass point his firearm directly at them. The woman and children told officers there were two additional people in the basement. The SWAT team arrived and utilized special equipment to make entry into the home. The two citizens in the basement were safely removed.
Over an extended period of time, OPD’s Crisis Negotiators spoke with Raynard Bass and requested that he peacefully exit the residence, but he refused. Several less lethal techniques and strategies were used in an attempt to peacefully resolve this incident. Sometime after 1:00 a.m., OPD Police Service Dog Kano was sent into the residence and found Bass hiding within a wall. SWAT officers followed Kano shortly after and located the suspect. Officers also found Kano on the floor and unresponsive.
Police say Bass resisted arrest, and a taser device was used to take him into custody. It was determined that Bass strangled Kano, which rendered the K9 unconscious. Officers gave Kano CPR inside the home, and he was taken to an area veterinarian hospital by Omaha Fire, where he is expected to survive. Raynard Bass was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation and admitted as a precaution.
The residents inside the home were not harmed. During the course of this incident, an OPD SWAT sergeant heard shots being fired inside the home and observed a defect in a glass window. Officers searched the home after Bass was removed and found a firearm, along with two spent casings.
"Mr. Bass’s actions placed innocent community members in direct danger inside their own homes," said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. "Our officers' core priority remains the preservation of life—for the public, our officers, and the suspect alike.
"This was a rapidly evolving, high-risk incident that required exceptional professionalism, sound judgment and decisive action. For more than six hours, our officers and professional staff worked tirelessly to bring a dangerous situation to a safe resolution.
"Tragically, during the arrest, Mr. Bass choked K-9 Kano until he lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Thanks to the immediate, life-saving actions of our officers and Omaha Fire Department personnel, Kano was resuscitated, rushed to emergency veterinary care, and continues to be closely monitored."
After consultation with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, Bass was booked into Douglas County Corrections for an outstanding felony domestic violence warrant, felony shoplifting, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, terroristic threats, burglary, attempted felony assault on a police officer, use of a weapon to commit a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, animal cruelty to a police service animal and obstructing a police officer.
(Picture from Omaha Police)