Rafael Crespo dies in fatal Omaha shooting involving officers

• Rafael Crespo dies in fatal Omaha shooting involving officers

Fatal Omaha shooting claims life of Rafael Crespo – Obituary

OMAHA, NE — Rafael Crespo has been identified as the suspect who died in a November 6 incident involving Omaha police officers. According to authorities, Crespo’s death was self-inflicted, occurring after a standoff where he and Veronica Villa, the victim, were found barricaded in a closet amid an intense, escalating confrontation.

The Omaha Police Department reported that officers, including Pablo Jimenez and Noah Zendejas, responded to the volatile situation with attempts to negotiate, but after hearing additional gunfire, they quickly decided to intervene. Both officers, each with over three years of experience with the department, acted swiftly in what Police Chief Todd Schmaderer described as a heroic effort to save Villa, who was believed to be in immediate danger.

The investigation, including findings from Crespo’s autopsy, confirmed that his fatal injury was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officer Zendejas was just a few hours into his first shift back on patrol following a previous shooting incident in September, in which he was involved in the shooting of Steven Phipps. That earlier incident was deemed justified by the Douglas County Attorney, though Zendejas had been reassigned after returning from leave.

As standard protocol for all officer-involved shootings, a grand jury will review the case surrounding Crespo’s death. Both officers remain on administrative leave as the investigation proceeds.