Omaha police identify suspect in hours-long standoff that sent an OPD K-9 to a vet hospital
OMAHA, Neb. —
Omaha police identified the 40-year-old charged in an hours-long standoff.
Police said the barricade situation started with a shoplifting report at Von Maur around 7 p.m. on Thursday.
OPD’s helicopter was in the area and saw the suspect, identified as Raynard Bass, 40, leave the mall in a dark-colored SUV.
Officers attempted a traffic stop.
The suspect fled, and OPD’s helicopter followed the vehicle to the area of 37th Street and Grand Avenue, where police said the suspect exited the vehicle.
According to a news release from OPD, an officer could see that Bass was holding a gun as he fled. Those in the helicopter also said he was holding a firearm.
OPD said Bass ran into a home near 38th and Fort streets.
This prompted police to issue a shelter in place alert because police said the suspect had a gun.
According to the news release, two children and a woman safely exited the front of the residence. Those who exited said there were two others in the basement of the home.
READ MORE: Police issue ‘shelter in place’ alert during an emergency situation in north Omaha
OPD’s SWAT Unit used special equipment to gain entry into the home, and the two people who were in the basement were safely removed.
OPD’s Crisis Negotiators spoke with Bass, requesting him to peacefully exit the home, but he refused.
The news release said around 1 a.m. OPD K-9 Kano was sent inside the home, and Kano found Bass hiding in a wall.
The SWAT team went in shortly after Kano and found the dog unresponsive on the floor. Officers gave Kano CPR inside the residence and took him to a veterinarian. He is expected to survive.
OPD said Bass resisted arrest, and officers used a taser to take him into custody.
Bass was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and was admitted as a precaution.
The residents inside the home were unharmed.
Multiple shots were heard during the standoff, and officers saw the windows of the home were broken. When officers took Bass into custody, they located a firearm as well as 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.”
Bass was later 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.
The family who lived inside the residence are now working to relocate.
READ MORE: Omaha family rebuilds again after their home was destroyed during hours-long police standoff
The incident is still under investigation.
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