A Nebraska man who was fatally shot after opening fire at an Omaha, Nebraska Target store on Tuesday purchased the AR-style rifle he fired at the store four days before the incident, police said.
The suspect, Joseph Jones, 32, of suburban Omaha, was killed by an Omaha police officer who responded to Target after reports of gunshots shortly before noon, police said in a declaration Wednesday.
No one else was injured. Terrified customers ran out of the store or hid in areas like fitting rooms.
Jones had 13 loaded magazines of ammunition, police said. Authorities described the weapon as an AR-15-style rifle.
A motive has not been revealed. The investigation is continuing, police said in Wednesday’s statement.
Jones bought the gun four days earlier at a Cabela’s sporting goods store, police said.
Police have said that he fired several rounds at the store. An Omaha police officer confronted Jones and shot him with his handgun, police said.
The officer who shot Jones, a 20-year veteran of the police department, was placed on paid administrative leave under department policy, police said.
Police released photos showing the rifle and Jones holding the weapon at the Target, as well as a discarded coat and ammunition clips on the floor.
Jones’ uncle, Larry Derksen Jr., said Omaha’s NBC affiliate WOWT that Jones had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been in and out of hospitals in the past, and had frequent episodes.
Derksen, who said he lived with Jones, told the station they didn’t know he had a gun, or else they would have taken it or called the police.
«In no way, shape, or form do I think he intended to go into that store and hurt anyone,» Derksen said.
NBC News was unable to reach Derksen Wednesday night.