The incident happened just after 7pm on Monday in a residential area of Omaha where the road was closed to trick-or-treating cars. An officer shot a driver who nearly hit a large crowd of first responders in Omaha, Neb., Oct. 31, 2022. KETV Officers handing out candy at the event were alerted that someone was “driving recklessly” on the boulevard, the Omaha Police Department said in a news release. The driver was traveling in the wrong direction without headlights on, police said. One of the officers ran in front of the car and “gave several loud verbal commands to the driver and extended his hand motioning for the driver to stop the vehicle,” police said. When the driver continued to drive toward the officer, the officer fired seven times, hitting him, before stopping the car, police said. The driver was hit three times — once in the jaw and once in each shoulder, according to Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. Video obtained by ABC Omaha affiliate KETV shows a car slowing down before speeding down the road. In another video obtained by KETV, several gunshots can be heard as a crowd gathered on the grass began to run. According to police, there are no reports of injuries to anyone who was hit by the car. Schmaderer said the motive is currently unknown, but police do not currently believe the driver intended a “mass casualty” incident “because there was an opportunity for that.” “People were getting out of the way and out of the way, but it didn’t look like they were being targeted,” Schmaderer told reporters during a press briefing Tuesday afternoon. Police are investigating whether the driver was impaired, he said. “It appeared he was under the influence of something from the body-worn camera, but we don’t have any toxicology reports,” Schmaderer said. An officer shot a driver who nearly hit a large crowd of first responders in Omaha, Neb., Oct. 31, 2022. KETV Police identified the driver as 31-year-old Dontavius Levering. He was treated at the scene and taken to a local hospital in serious condition, police said. He is in stable condition and expected to survive his injuries, police said Tuesday. There was no one else in the car, police said. Police urged people to avoid the area of Minne Lusa Avenue and Newport Avenue Monday night amid the investigation. “It’s extremely scary when this type of thing happens obviously, with hundreds and hundreds of people, lots of kids, and not waiting for cars to go through barricades,” Omaha Police Lt. Neil Bonacci told reporters from the scene on Monday night. The officer who fired his weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation. The chief identified him as Bryson Blandford, a four-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department. “From everything I’ve seen of the body-worn camera footage, this was in accordance with policy,” Schmaderer said. “If that changes, I’ll be sure to let the public know about it.” Schmaderer said he believes Blandford’s actions “saved lives” on the crowded street. Police have recovered at least six of the seven shots fired and have not heard of any homes being hit in the incident, the chief said. Schmaderer said the department will present the matter to the county attorney, who will make any charging decisions.
