By Tara Godvin, The Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Omaha police officer who fatally shot an armed man near downtown was involved in another deadly shooting eight years ago.
Sgt. John Swanson has been placed on administrative leave after firing the shot that killed Mateo Andres-Nicolas on Thursday night. As required by state law, the shooting will be investigated by a grand jury.
Andres-Nicolas, 26, was armed with a gun and threatening to kill his girlfriend when he turned and fired in the direction of officers, Police Chief Thomas Warren said at a news conference Friday.
Warren said officers were dispatched at about 8:20 p.m. CST to the home after a 911 caller hung up.
Warren said Officer Charles Casey Jr. arrived and was told by three young children that their mother’s boyfriend was inside the apartment and was threatening to kill her.
When Swanson arrived minutes later, he commanded Andres-Nicolas in Spanish and English to drop his weapon, Warren said.
Andres-Nicolas was born in Guatemala and apparently did not speak English, Warren said.
As the children’s mother, Blanca Francisco, 26, ran for the door, Andres-Nicolas fired his .38 caliber gun, shattering the glass in the door near where the officers were standing on the porch, Warren said.
“Apparently he did not drop his weapon and he subsequently discharged his weapon,” Warren said.
Swanson then fired at Andres-Nicolas, who was about 10 feet away, hitting him in the chest, Warren said.
The man died at Creighton University Medical Center.
None of the officers were injured, Warren said.
Warren said he didn’t know how many shots were fired by either Swanson or Andres-Nicolas.
Swanson, a 19-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, was also involved in another fatal shooting in March 1996. He was one of two officers to shoot and kill Donald Hurley after Hurley fired a gun at them.
Officers fired 12 rounds at Hurley, who was hit seven times in the upper body. Hurley’s shots missed the officers.
Andres-Nicolas’ death was the 12th fatal police shooting in Omaha in the last 10 years.