Shots Fired At Septemberfest
Shots Fired At Septemberfest Save Email Print
No one hit, dozens taken into custody
Posted: 12:01 AM Sep 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 1:46 PM Sep 1, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
62 comments
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Some scary moments at Omaha's annual Septemberfest celebration when occupants of two vehicles began firing at each other in the parking lot outside the Qwest Center Sunday night. No one was hurt.

A witness says two cars drove up next to each other and exchanged 20 to 30 shots. After that, most of those in the crowd inside the fence at Septemberfest, ran.

Witness Kevin West says, "I ducked behind a car along with a lot of other people. And then after the shots were fired, all of a sudden everybody just scattered everywhere. Chaos erupted, fights broke out."

Dozens of police officers arrived to control the crowd, and several fights broke out. Witnesses reported officers using mace and a Channel 6 News crew saw at least one person get Tasered.

Police say they may have to review security for Monday.

Omaha Police Lieutenant Mike McGee says, "Definitely have to take a look and see what plans we have in place. We did have a number of officers down here tonight as well. We'll see if we need revamp our plan at this point in time."

Police took several people into custody for questioning. A juvenile was booked on a gun charge.
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Posted by: President - Midwest Early Corvette Club on Apr 26, 2009 at 12:56 PM
The general public that look at the classic cars at the Septemberfest car show events have long been a problem. The parent don't watch their children and the owners have to watch for people touching, opening and getting in to the cars. This action is one more problem that shows that the event is getting worse. I'm glad we no longer have a relationship with the organization that sponsors this event.
Posted by: John on Sep 4, 2008 at 07:22 AM
We went to the volleyball games Friday at the Qwest we parked 2 blocks away. After we turned the corner we were panhandled several times and harrassed by the thugs. I will never attend a event downtown again. I can see why so many are getting concel gun permits.
Posted by: B. on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I'm just wondering where all the so called "Gang Unit" officers were? U know the ones that can "identify" known gang members at night time. Oh yeah I forgot they were busy pulling my girlfriend over and searching her vehicle. So why is everyone crying about a "little shooting"? After all no one was hit by any of these bullets so I'm sure that alone makes for a boring night in Norf O. Oh wait this was in beloved downtown where the 70 trillion dollar stadium is being built. Hopefully the sky boxes will be bullet proof.
Posted by: Kevin on Sep 2, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Hmm...let's see...we have officers doing overtime for DUI while we have idiot youth running around doing drive by's. So how many drive by's is that now without anybody being charged?
Posted by: brit on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:30 AM
i dont understand how they were just shooting outside of the fences. i was there, and had two girls with me and we hid under a ride, and the ride we hd under had gotten hit several times and actually moves a little bit after was bein hit. also, it happened three times where we would get up and start walkin, and more shots would be fired. about four rounds. so think bout that too...
Posted by: jennifer on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I wasn't there and I can only imagine how frightening it was but I don't think violence at Septemberfest is anything new. "Back in the Day" when Septemberfest first started (about 30 years ago) it was the bikers that caused the problems - new era - new problems. It's too bad that,as always,it's some minute percentage of people causing some huge percentage of the problems. Those of you characterizing the notion of "NODO" as a failure -a city without urban renewal is lost. NODO isn't the problem here, a small portion of the population is. The extermination of a group of humans - even if they are "gang" members is even more apalling than the actions of the gang members themselves. If any city had thought of a successful way to get rid of gangs don't you think it would be done by now? And if you think this is a north Omaha problem read the ridiculous Millard tshirt board. A generation of our children believes in one way or another the rules of society don't apply to them. Fix that..
Posted by: John on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:43 PM
What else would you expect in this PODUNK little town!
Posted by: Millard on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:30 PM
As a city we must step up and take control, we have to be safe attending community activities like Septemberfest, or attending a concert downtown, or walking through the lovely parks we have here. Let's not pretend that all of the violence happens in North O, we all know that's not true, but it is where the majority of it occurs. If we complain we have to look for good things for young people to be involved in, parents to be involved in their teenagers lives, and we have to stop the finger pointing, this is OUR city, we have to come together.
Posted by: lynn on Sep 1, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Omaha makes me sick. They need to address the problem & attack it. The police cannot do it alone. The people nned to get off thier butts, quit crabbin & get your hands dirty by all bonding together to STOP THE VIOLENCE.
Posted by: John on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:39 PM
People weren't supposed to leave because at the time no one knew where the shooter was. There was yelling that they were outside and people were yelling they were shooting inside. And I'm sure some innocent people probably got some fall out from pepper spray but I think you musta missed all the people fighting with the cops who got the brunt of it. I'm sure if you were surrounded by a hostile crowd, having people shooting, and then having someone trying to punch you the last thing on your mind would be trying to talk to the person. I think the cops did a great job given the uncooperativness of a small minority and the chaos of the situation. Lets just be thankful no one was shot thanks to the quick response of the officers.
Posted by: Gabbis Mom on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:12 PM
For all of you that are complaining that it is not North Omaha and people are being prejudice; take a look at the statistics and perhaps you should rethink your position. Do a little research before you come on here and voice your opinion. Just keep your shootings away from OUR CHILDREN; we'll keep our robberies if you keep your guns where they belong, your side of town http://www.spotcrime.com/ne/omaha
Posted by: Jeff on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:03 PM
To Chad:I am a african american male also and i agree with everything you said.And you hit the nail right on the head about us wondering why there is nothing here or why there arent any decent concerts or anything worth going to.And yes,that girl who was acting a fool should have been ashamed of herself,but she probably didnt care.Its kids running around and just overall rude people that keep me and my wife away from Septemberfest.
Posted by: Adam on Sep 1, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Isn't this the safe part of town where our $200,000,000.00 stadium is suppose to be? What a joke!
Posted by: DDB on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:04 PM
At what point does America realize that gangs are more of a threat to National Security than some unknow terrorists? Gangs are worse than any terrorist because they conduct their business without fear of punishment (Gang tatoos). Gangs infest and victimize whole communities and have even taken over our prison systems. So at what point do we see them for what they are, domestic terrorists?
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:04 PM
To North Omaha Woman I agree with you completely. I think it is ridiculous how people judge everyone in North O. for the idiots out there doing the idiotic thing. Just cause alot of shooting are in North O doesnt mean they are all bad people. I think it is ridiculous how everyone stereotypes people just because the community they live in. There was a shooting here in La Vista about a year or so ago. So does that mean everyone in La Vista is killers. I didnt think so. So, why is it when it happens in North Omaha then it gives everyone there a bad name. I agree that it is stupid to move the CWS but we obviously have NO control over it so why complain about it anymore. Its gonna take something bad to happen at the CWS before they consider having it anywhere else but that probably wont make a difference either. They will just say to put more security guards out there.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:44 PM
north O, Where do 90% of the shootings happen? Where do the police get shot? Get your head out of the sand. Problems never get solved if we cant admit what the problem is.
Posted by: Jed on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:36 PM
One thing to pay attention to. Heavy police presence, and security cameras did absolutely nothing to stop this incident from happening. So please don't beg for more. It's only a sense of false security. I'm glad I left Omaha over a year ago. I rarely felt safe if I went out to do anything.
Posted by: to amazed on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Nothing about what happened is hearsay. Listen to the words of hip hop and rap and tell me they don't glorify exactly the crap that happened at the septemberfest. Don't blame the federal gov't for what is going on with gangs and stuff. This idiotic behavior has been happening many years longer than Bush has been president.
Posted by: Liz on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Can't take our kids anywhere. They should take all these people who are caught with guns, gang members and take them to an open field and let them fire on each other. Problem solved. Every event that our city holds, gets ruined. Thanks ignorant people.
Posted by: lc on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I was there with my family & my grandson. We tried to get out & the cops would not let us leave. There was a stampede. People were getting crushed. A cop was spraying innocent people with pepper spray. Kicking people..innocent scared people with children. Little children. I was horrified by the action of the police. Our eyes & mouths were burning. My grandson is 2 yrs old. I will never go to Omaha for an event again. And a little girl got shot in the arm. I seen it.
Posted by: Mikel on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I just wanted to add, because i ran out of room, that I really want to thank OPD again, they pre-warned us about half an hour before the shootings that is was not that safe to be there. I'm glad we left. This really is a sad time for the community of Omaha. I'm 17 years old and have lived in the worst neighborhoods of Omaha and never experienced this in my life. What a shame.
Posted by: Mikel on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Well hopefully with this incident the NCAA will completely rethink having the CWS here at all. You really think they want to risk the lives of thousands upon thousands of fans. Oh and not to metnion the most important thing of all the student-athletes and coaches that come here evry year to celebrate such a marvelous time in college sports. I hope the NCAA revokes Omaha's opportunity to have the CWS here, well I guess it probably won teach any of these idiots a thing it's just going to continue to ruin everything we value most as a communtiy. So to all of you I just want to say thanks. Maybe next time we can have a shoot out at something even bigger. After evrything that happened with the Von-Maur incident you'd think as a whole we could stoip this stupid non sense but I guess that's just not how it works. I love Omaha and I love this state, but I just want to give a huge thanks to these clowns. And on another note, I want to think OPD. Thank you for at least giving some security.
Posted by: jj on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:35 PM
HEY !!!! come to college world series and for the price if your ticket you too can be involved in a drive by shooting... compliments of Fahey Ball Park
Posted by: Kim on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I was there got 5 minutes spent 100 bucks and turned around and left. 2 dollars per person to get in 12 peolple and 12 per person to park....took out of town family with me..... It was not late but you could feel the violence stirring. The policemen knew and warned us to leave with children. What an imprssion of OMAHA this gave to our out of state visitors. It was not the money that was wasted just to walk in and think of riding a ride. It was the atmosphere. I dont have the answer but I believe it starts with getting the so called family fun out of trash ville and putting it back where it used to be. Is there really no where else to have anything fun for us except where the trash of Omaha can get attention. Come on OMAHA . Besides let's put our finest officers in harms way by having them put in the center of a GANG FEST!!! This is diappointing and ya know we plan to have our CWS in gang territory here... This makes me sick.
Posted by: North O Woman on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I am certain we must be living back in 1919 where Omahans showed their ugly racist heads. How could such good decent people judge a whole race a whole section of the city based off some low lifes. Well one black person from north o is a thug, then we all are right. Well maybe one white man is a serial killer then you all are right? No I am not as ignorant as you. People are people you want scary go to Iraq where many of us have loved ones serving this country so you can keep your racist butts safe from real problems. It is not decent North Omahans fault that the city has other ideals on the clean up of these issues nor is it our fault some of our residents are thugs with nothing better to do. Maybe if the Govt. would let people rule their homes and get old school and let up on loop holes in the so called justice system these idiots would stay in jail where they belong. But realistically people there will always be law breakers-deal with it or move to China-they're happy there!
Posted by: Gil on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Evidently the police brought in some of the suspects. Just being brought in should count for some really heavy punishment. If you are part of the activity, the police should take you down hard. I do, however, wonder if the folks involved are mentally challenged. They can't seem to conduct a worthwhile life, and even prevent others from doing so. I quit going to the Crossroads Mall many years ago when the mall was filled with young thugs shoving folks out of the way as they marched down the halls. Then, there was a shooting outside Younkers, and that was it for me. Poor Crossroads Mall has almost been shut down because of these miscreants over the many years ago destroying confidence in others wanting to go there to shop. They talk about the stores closing there now, the seeds of that process were sown a number of years ago by groups of thugs and punks who terrorized ordinary people who just wanted to shop. Crossroads Mall managers haven't really dealt with it publicly.
Posted by: BOUWNQUiSHINETTA jENKiNS on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:43 AM
SOMEBODY DID GET HIT. SOME LITTLE GIRL WAS SHOT IN THE ARM LOOKING FOR HER MOM.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:32 AM
"A Salute to Labor" HA! The only labor these low life thugs know is when their babys mama is having their kid out of wedlock. I am so sick of these idiots. Enjoy spending your welfare check at the expense of everyone elses hard work!
Posted by: H on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:22 AM
ANOTHER MARK AGAINST OUR CITY. WE AREN'T SAFE ANYWHERE. I AND ANY OF MY FRIENDS WOULDN'T TAKE THE GRANDCHILDREN TO ANY OF OMAHAS EVENTS. WHY PUT THEM IN HARMS WAY. LOOK INTO THAT MR. MAYOR. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WILL LOOK INTO IT. PLEASE. I HAVE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE AND I AGREE ABOUT THE DECLINE OF THIS CITY. IT IS GETTING TRUELY SAD.
Posted by: B on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I'm telling you all. It's time to open up a season on gangbangers! It's the only way we are going to get rid of this scum! This city won't be safe until all this scum is cleaned up!
Posted by: Mike Phelps on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I was there waiting in line by the porta johns when 200 people came running at us.About 10 minutes later everyone is running out of the beer garden.There were injuries that this story isnt reporting. It was a stampede with kids getting stomped and parents panicking.And i mean little kids, not teenagers. Plenty of mace being sprayed for some reason i have yet to figure out.The cops did a poor job if you ask me. They were all over the event in bulletproof vest( that right there tells you something )I will give kudos to the carnival workers who risked their own life to get everyone out of the beer garden and to safety.Here is an idea, move Septemberfest to Rosenblatt? LOL Just wait til the violence hits the CWS and National coverage
Posted by: Well Guess What on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Well Guess What? Qwest Center is loaded with security cameras and I hope they utilize the video to locate the thugs who have know regards for anyone, if we allow this to fly by like it was nothing! then we as a city should be ashame of ourselves! Look how many lives were in jeopardy,get the video,and the citizens should demand some arrests!
Posted by: Omaha on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Gang members are nothing but cowards and losers. They should all be exterminated.
Posted by: Linda on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I was at the September Fest Sun eve with my family...including my 22 mo old grandson when shooting started. There was families with their children everywhere. We all ran for cover. When we thought the shooting was over we went to the exit. The cops would not let us leave. Someone in the back started running & pushing which caused a panic. The cop squirted a young man who had gotten pushed into the cop. We all got it. If my son-in-law hadn't shielded the baby, he would have gotten it too. There was little girls in front crying & screaming. Then the cop turned around & started kicking people in thier butts. I was & am soooo angry. It's no wonder no one likes the cops. I didn't like them last night either. That situation could have been handled differently. I WILL NEVER TAKE MY GRANDSON TO A PUBLIC OUTTING IN OMAHA NEBR. AGAIN. The cops make me just as sick as the gang bangers do. They can HAVE EACH OTHER!!!
Posted by: E on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:40 AM
What a surprise! Thank's Mr. Mayor! Great job you have done with this city!
Posted by: RS on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Building up North Omaha - you can paint a trashcan gold, it's still a trashcan
Posted by: MoveOn on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:18 AM
So ridiculous...you just want recognition because your mentality is too low to be anything but a punk. Don't like it here - get out. Omaha doesn't want you here or need you here. Go somewhere you can shoot and be shot. Hopefully you come back in a pine box. The only impression you leave is how stupid you really are. Not afraid of dying after you gun down innocent people? Your body language says otherwise - you run and hide, lie, blame others, shoot any possible witnesses, take no responsibility for your actions - this says you are a coward.
Posted by: Amazed on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:07 AM
it's funny how you guys can come on here and AGAIN make comments about stuff based on hear say. Let's not point our fingers at the hip hop culture b/c anyone that knows real hip hop knows that this isnt what the artist want. If we really wanna point blame (to relieve ourselves of guilt) lets blame the president and his macho-i'm-going-to-take-over-the-world by blowing things up and killing innocent civilians in the process attitude. He's the most powerful thug on the planet and yet...we blame anyone else that could possibly be a scapegoat. So stop blaming people, music, and styles of clothing on the stupid actions that todays misguided youth are taking.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Go figure.
Posted by: Left Omaha on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:34 AM
No one is safe anywhere in Omaha. Daily murders. Shots at a "family festival". I lived in Omaha for over 40 years and the decline of the quality of the city drove us out. I read the Omaha news and it makes me sad because at one time it was a really nice place. What's so great about trying to make the city as big as possible? If people wanted to live in New York or LA they would. Why is so much spent on nonsense like that bridge and so little on the basics like paving streets and upgrading sewer systems? Abandoned houses. Gangs in south Omaha taking over. Try to walk down south 24th. It's terrifying, with the trash blowing everywhere and scary people, most with a bottle or can in hand, loitering on every corner. Graffiti everywhere. I'm sure that the dedicated officers at OPD are doing the best they can every day, and being shot for their efforts, but Omaha is a battle zone that the city leadership refuses to see and address.
Posted by: Omaha on Sep 1, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Leave the hip hop out. Thugs are the most foolish people on earth.
Posted by: carol on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Well, once again an event in Omaha has been ruined by idiots shooting at each other. Florence days was cancelled a few years ago because of gang fights and now they are going to ruin Septemberfest as well. Fahey wants to build up Omaha and show people what a great city it is and all this happens. Well, welcome to Omaha and don't forget to run and duck for cover if you attend any open events. This is the reason I don't attend any of these events.
Posted by: concerned mother on Sep 1, 2008 at 08:57 AM
i can not believe this???? we have really got to do something about all this i hope everyone involved in this was arrested and punished my entire family was there and all of our kids i am grateful that nothing happened gut this is just obsurd north omaha don't leave your premises if you guys want to kill each other fine but leave the rest of the city ALONE!!!!!
Posted by: a on Sep 1, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Just think, in a couple of years it will be the CWS in the line of fire. Another reason not to visit the NODO. How many events in North Omaha have to be shut down every year due to gun violence? Native Omaha days, Juneteenth, Septemberfest, every parade thats ever been held......... never ending.
Posted by: Rich on Sep 1, 2008 at 07:43 AM
This is what happens when those who don't work gather to celebrate those who do. Yhose idiots should be thanking the working population for supporting their life styles.
Posted by: Tom on Sep 1, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Hummmmm! And this is the area they want to build the New Ball Stadium at? The cops can't control Septemberfest How they going to control the College World Series? Guess we'll look into it. HA
Posted by: chad on Sep 1, 2008 at 05:45 AM
As an african american, I get so tired of these idiot wannabe gangsters. You cant go nowhere without someone messing a nice thing up. Then they wonder why WE get treated like we do.. Where are the parents at? (the bar?) Look at the video again, and you will notice the as soon as the girl seen the camera, she got all outrageous, and loud, and the other kid had to pick her up and walk her away....If that was my sister, I would have givin her a 5 fingered handprint across the face , for acting a fool, let alone on television... I am so thankful to have the mother i have, Cuz she woulda had NONE OF THAT..
Posted by: Me on Sep 1, 2008 at 05:34 AM
For crying out loud!!! Are they trying to ruin every fun thing that goes on here in Omaha? What a bunch of losers. Can't these people learn to control their actions? No one can watch a concert in peace without some village idiot pulling a gun? Sheesh. Thank the good Lord that no one was injured.
Posted by: Bill on Sep 1, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Gangbangers, thugs, punks - they want to ruin it for everyone. I say round them all up. Then put them in a pen 200 x 200 and let them kill each other. Problem solved!
Posted by: Gabbis Mom on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:41 AM
We were crossing the street when the gunfire went off. My nine year old daughter was laying in the middle of the street with her head down...in between rounds we managed to make it to the front where the police were beginning to organize so we were in the middle of that and more shots went off. We were trying to duck and run and the police horses were bucking and we managed to run to the Qwest Center nearby. From there we could see everything, and yes i believe the police were quick to respond and contain things...im just dying inside tonight, thinking we were about 20 feet away from the shootings. I can even tell you what color one of the cars were.
Posted by: jp on Sep 1, 2008 at 04:14 AM
OMG...a shooting in North O! That never happens. You would figure that after killing innocent lives and grow up and quite playing gangbanger wannabe that people could go out and have a nice time without North O violence. Guess not. I'll stick with staying at home or going to non-banger bars.
Posted by: Meg on Sep 1, 2008 at 03:13 AM
I was rather angry at the panic. No one was hurt, and I wanted to finish riding my rides. Also, I didn't get my funnel cake. People should be ashamed by how quick they panic. I was there, and I kept a cool head. I wasn't more than 10 feet away from a young man that the police decided to dive on and cuff. Apparently he didn't do it because according to this story, the shootings were in a parking lot. I'm personally upset by how the police manhandled many suspects. And to all the others that say carnival rides are for young hooligans and the hip-hop culture, then you're just ignorant... didn't your mother or father ever take you to the state fair once? Jerks, classic rides and classic thrills. Get a life.
Posted by: Trevor on Sep 1, 2008 at 02:15 AM
I was there and heard shots fired then to see the crowds panic and rush for cover twice in two shooting events. Escaped with my two friends, Ekapon and Brandon from the scene. Police lifted the chain link barrickades to allow us to exit.
Posted by: Takina on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:57 AM
Can i just say? What a bunch of idiots.Anywhere in the whole city,they can could of been so foolish. All involved should be EXTREMELY GRATEFULL that there was no FATALITIES. "INNOCENT FATALITIES" All those kids,all those people?One thing For sure? The LORD was not to busy tonight....GOD,please BLESS THEM who don't see beyond the NOW.AMEN
Posted by: KJV on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:49 AM
I was seeing LA Guns on the main stage and gunfire broke out!
Posted by: Big Bonus on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:25 AM
You have "urban" entertainment, you also get urban violence as a joined-at-the-hip-hop bonus.
Posted by: Unbelievable on Sep 1, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Is this Septemberfest or Native Omaha Days?
Posted by: Stephen on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Although it was so scary, I want to compliment OPD on their quick response and strong presence when clearing the area. I also want to extend thanks to the carnival employee that assisted our escape from the Beer Garden when the situation began.
Posted by: Jared on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:53 AM
That's what happens when you bring in entertainment that caters to the riff raff of society.
Posted by: ari h. on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:32 AM
i wuz so scared and crying 4 ma friendz
Posted by: t on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:30 AM
It was sacry, almost a stampede
Posted by: yeah on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:14 AM
that was some scary stuff.
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