OMAHA, Neb.—Omaha’s police chief said he is firing an officer who fatally shot an unarmed Black man while serving a no-knock warrant, a policy that has since been suspended in the city.
Omaha Police Officer Adam Vail was part of a SWAT team serving the search warrant during a drug and firearms investigation on Aug. 28 when he fired the single shot that killed 37-year-old Cameron Ford, prosecutors said. Off. Vail said Mr. Ford charged at him without his hands visible.
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine declined to charge the officer. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer in a statement Sept. 25 said an internal investigation found Off. Vail violated department procedures.
“During the course of the investigation, I did not see or uncover any criminal intent on the part of Officer Vail,” Chief Schmaderer said.
Off. Vail will get a chance to appeal to human resources before the firing is finalized, Chief Schmaderer said in a press release. The fatal shooting of Mr. Ford prompted Omaha police to suspend no-knock warrants pending an investigation into the practice. (AP)
