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Omaha Shooting Investigation Hindered As Many Witnesses Refuse To Talk To Police

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 14:17 PST, Jan 25, 2015

Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska, are attempting to investigate a tragic shooting that took the lives of three young adults and left five others with serious injuries. The tragic event occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning at a house party.

Police responded at around 1:44 a.m. (2:44 a.m. Eastern Time) to reports of a shooting. They found two deceased victims at the scene. The women have since been identified as 19-year-old Jakela Foster and 24-year-old Latishia Fox.

Twenty-six-year-old Cameron Harris died of his wounds at an area hospital. Five additional victims remain hospitalized due to injuries related to the Omaha shooting. Hospital officials shared that the victims were all in stable condition.

However, no further information has been made available as the patients have requested privacy.

In the time since the tragic incident, police have released only scant information to the public. As of now, it’s believed that the shooting is gang-related.

According to Omaha authorities, four of the shooting victims are believed to be gang-affiliated. Whether or not the assailants are members of a rival gang is unknown, but police believe that there are multiple persons responsible for the Omaha shooting.

As of now, no arrests related to the crime have been made. Omaha officials admit that the investigation is having difficulty locating witnesses who are willing to talk to the police about the events of Saturday morning.

Despite the fact that nearly 50 people were believed to have attended the Omaha house party, authorities say that potential witnesses are outright refusing to talk to or aid police in the capture of armed and dangerous killers.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer remains undeterred. During a press conference, Schmaderer urged partygoers to come forward with any clues as to who may have been behind the Saturday morning shooting.

He said that witnesses “have an opportunity to be away from any intimidation” should they choose to share information that would lead to the arrest of the shooters.

The Omaha police chief also commented on the horrific nature of the incident.

“The violence that we’re seeing here is the product of gang members that have no regard for human life.”

Law enforcement has asked that anyone with any information about the shooting contact Crime Stoppers. There is a $25,000 reward available for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the shooters.

[Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons]

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