Introduction

OMAHA, Neb. – The Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine has announced that no charges will be filed against two off-duty officers who shot and killed two men while working security at a nightclub in Nebraska’s largest city. The decision comes after an extensive review of witness statements and surveillance video, which revealed that one of the men had fired a gun at a group of people, including the officers. The shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Extasis Night Club.

Details of the Incident

The surveillance footage presented by the police showed an argument escalating outside the nightclub, with pushing and shoving between a group of people and the two men. The off-duty officers intervened to break up the altercation. However, the situation took a deadly turn when the two men, later identified as Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez and Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales, arrived in a Jeep and confronted the group. Rodriguez-Juarez, the driver, fired a shot at the group from the passenger window, prompting the officers to respond with deadly force. The officers fired a total of 21 shots, hitting each man three times. The Jeep fled the scene, and it took several minutes for backup to arrive and approach the vehicle.

Identification of the Deceased

The slain men have been identified as citizens of Mexico and Nicaragua who were in the country without legal permission. Police Chief Todd Schmaderer confirmed that both men were in the United States illegally. Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez was from Mexico, while Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales hailed from Nicaragua. Their deaths occurred after they were transported to a local hospital.

Language Barrier Concerns

Prior to the release of these details, some community leaders had raised concerns about a potential language barrier preventing effective communication between the officers and the men. However, authorities clarified that every Omaha officer is trained to give commands in Spanish, despite neither of the involved officers being fluent in the language. Investigators noted that it remains uncertain how well the men understood English. While one of them yelled for an ambulance in English after the shooting, the other made English comments on social media platforms. Due to the immediate threat posed by the gunshot, the officers did not have time to issue commands in either language before resorting to the use of lethal force.

Rebuilding Trust with the Latino Community

Police Chief Todd Schmaderer met with community leaders before the news conference and expressed his commitment to rebuilding trust with the Latino community. He plans to deliver a detailed briefing on the shooting at a community meeting next week. Schmaderer aims to address concerns and provide transparency as the department works towards rebuilding trust.

National Civil Rights Group Calls for Federal Investigation

The League of United Latin American Citizens, a national civil rights group, has called for a federal investigation into the incident to ensure that the officers’ actions were justified. Elsa Aranda, the Nebraska state director for the group, emphasized the need for a thorough probe to establish the truth rather than accepting a predetermined narrative.

Background of the Officers

The involved officers have been identified as Captain Jay Leavitt, a 25-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, and Officer Robert Soldo, who has served for over eight years. Captain Leavitt was previously involved in a separate shooting incident in June of last year, where he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Both officers are experienced members of the force.

Off-Duty Security Jobs and Associated Risks

Off-duty security jobs are quite common across the United States, offering additional income opportunities for police officers seeking supplemental earnings. Businesses often prefer hiring officers due to their law enforcement authority, which comes at a premium compared to security guards or bouncers trained in de-escalation techniques. However, the presence of armed officers also carries inherent risks. Only about 5% of security guards nationwide are armed, and the possibility of a lethal event, such as the one in Omaha, highlights the potential downsides of having armed officers on premises.

Statistics on Police-Involved Shootings

According to the database maintained by the Washington Post, there were 1,165 people killed nationwide in shootings involving on-duty police officers last year. These numbers have consistently remained above 1,000 since 2020. Bowling Green State University criminal justice professor Philip Stinson reported that there were 15 officers charged with murder or manslaughter related to on-duty shootings in 2020. However, statistics regarding off-duty shootings, such as the one in Omaha, are not readily available.

Management of Off-Duty Jobs by Police Departments

Police departments often track the off-duty jobs their officers undertake, and in some cases, they may directly manage these jobs and require businesses to hire officers through the department. The specific management process of off-duty jobs by the Omaha Police Department is currently unclear.

Conclusion

The decision not to file charges against the off-duty officers involved in the fatal shooting at the Extasis Night Club in Omaha has sparked a demand for a federal investigation from a national civil rights group. The incident, which took the lives of two men, has raised concerns about language barriers and the risks associated with armed officers working off-duty security jobs. As the Omaha Police Department strives to rebuild trust with the Latino community, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer plans to provide a comprehensive briefing on the shooting at an upcoming community meeting.