A 31-year-old woman who was fatally shot by police during a foiled kidnapping attempt at a Walmart in Omaha was under court-ordered mental health supervision and had a history of violent incidents. Omaha Police identified the woman as Noemi Guzman.
Guzman had faced serious criminal accusations in the past but was found “not responsible by reason of insanity” in multiple violent cases. Her mental health condition and violent behavior had been documented over several years.
In March 2024, Guzman allegedly set fire to her father’s house. She was also charged with breaking into St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church while armed with a kitchen knife. During this incident, a priest had to barricade himself in a room as Guzman caused damage inside the church.
Despite facing four felony charges related to these events, the courts ruled that Guzman was mentally ill and not responsible for her actions due to insanity. This ruling led to ongoing court supervision rather than imprisonment.
In June 2025, a judge confirmed that Guzman continued to suffer from schizophrenia. She was considered a danger to herself and others and was placed under strict court supervision with a mandated mental health treatment plan. The court ordered a psychiatrist to notify authorities immediately if Guzman failed to comply with her treatment requirements.
Records show that up until the incident at Walmart, Guzman had not deviated from her court-ordered treatment plan.
On April 14, 2026, Guzman attacked a child during an attempted kidnapping at a Walmart in Omaha. Police responded quickly to the scene and fatally shot her. This tragic event has raised concerns in the community about mental health management, public safety, and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Originally published by UKNIP.
