A staffer on the long-running television crime show Cops was shot and killed Tuesday night, reportedly by gunfire from local police, while videotaping an armed robbery in progress in Omaha, Nebraska, that also left the suspect dead.
According to Deputy Chief David Baker of the Omaha Police Department, the incident took place at a Wendy's restaurant at around 9:20 p.m. CT, in the vicinity of 42nd Street and Dodge.
Initial reports said the TV crew member, later identified by Langley Productions (which produces Cops) as audio technician Bryce Dion — had been critically injured. The news of his death broke Wednesday morning, as first reported by the Omaha World-Herald and local NBC affiliate WOWT. The Omaha PD has declined to name the victims or release any further details pending an afternoon press conference, at which Cops creator John Langley is expected to speak.
More than 30 shots were fired, all by officers, according to law enforcement sources that spoke with the World-Herald and WOWT, implying that Omaha police killed both the suspect and the crew member. No officers were injured.
"We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy and our main concern is helping (Dion's) family in any way we can," Langley Productions said later Wednesday morning in a statement. "Bryce Dion was a long term member of the Cops team and a very talented and dedicated person. We mourn his passing. An investigation is ongoing and we are cooperating with local authorities."
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Photo from the scene of the shooting taken by WOWT reporter Brian Mastre (Twitter)
Photo from the scene of the shooting taken by WOWT reporter Brian Mastre (Twitter)
Law enforcement sources told the World-Herald that the suspect, a parolee from Kansas, had an Airsoft gun on him, which is not an actual firearm.
"The suspect in the armed robbery has been declared deceased," Baker said. "We ask for your patience in this matter."
According to Baker, the suspect held up a Wendy's employee at gunpoint and demanded cash before walking outside to find police waiting for him. The suspect was wounded and taken to Nebraska Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
The suspect was described as wearing a "black hoodie and a white bandana" in a police radio call posted by @MeanStreetsOMA on Twitter. The Cops crew member was described as a white male in the police call.
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