The armed suspect accused of wounding multiple officers in a gas station shootout after allegedly firing on a 61-year-old man in an earlier, seemingly random shooting has been identified as an illegal immigrant and convicted felon, authorities revealed Thursday. 

Officials said Salvadoran national Juan Melgar-Ayala, 28, injured four officers at a QuikTrip in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday before being killed at the scene by responding officers. Melgar-Ayala was reportedly on the run after an earlier shooting at a neighborhood grocery store that left a 61-year-old man injured. Police said the suspect had no known motive or connection to the victim.

“Juan Melgar-Ayala, a convicted felon in our country illegally from El Salvador, started a shootout with Omaha police this week – and paid the price,” Gov. Jim Pillen said Friday.

Court records indicate Melgar-Ayala had a history of felony burglary convictions in Douglas County, according to local media KETV. In 2021, he reportedly entered no-contest pleas to two burglary charges tied to a series of business break-ins and thefts. He also admitted guilt in multiple traffic-related cases involving driving without a valid license or proof of insurance, the outlet said.

OMAHA BYSTANDER FLEES GAS STATION BATHROOM MOMENTS BEFORE ARMED MAN FIRES ON OFFICERS

“Detectives are continuing to investigate how he obtained the handgun used in both violent incidents,” the Omaha Police Department said. “Family members have reported he suffered from mental health-related issues.”

Authorities said six responding officers chased Melgar-Ayala to a QuikTrip, where the suspect immediately ran into the men’s restroom wearing a face mask. Another bystander was reportedly inside the restroom before being rescued. The suspect fired at least 16 rounds and injured four officers before being fatally shot, according to the officials.

Authorities released the identities of the officers, who sustained injuries by either gunfire or shrapnel. Sgt. Emilio Luna sustained a gunshot wound to his foot; Detective Brock Rengo suffered a grazing gunshot wound to his leg; Detective Jordan Brandt sustained a gunshot wound to his leg; and Detective Christopher Brown suffered a shrapnel injury to his foot, the police said. Detective Kyle Graber and Sgt. Jonathon Holtrop were reportedly not injured in the exchange. 

The Omaha Police Department told Fox News Digital that Sgt. Luna has since been released from the hospital.

“Thank God the OPD officers shot by Melgar-Ayala face non-life-threatening injuries,” Pillen said. “The men and women of law enforcement are heroes — and protect us every day.”

ICE NABS 3-TIME DEPORTED ILLEGAL ALIEN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER: ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’

Prior to the shootout at the gas station, Melgar-Ayala allegedly opened fire on Michael Kasper, 61, at the neighborhood grocery store Phil’s Foodway. Kasper was reportedly grabbing a shopping cart when Melgar-Ayala exited his own vehicle and began firing a handgun, striking him multiple times.

Investigators recovered 15 shell casings from the parking lot, and Kasper was hospitalized in serious condition but is expected to survive, the police said. 

Following the violent sequence of events, Pillen criticized what he described as failures in federal border policy, saying the “lax Biden-era border security policy” has allowed dangerous criminals into the state.

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“Sadly, after years of lax Biden-era border security policy, every state is now a border state,” he said. “That’s why I believe the @ICEgov detention facility in McCook is an absolute necessity. Nebraska must continue to do our part to assist @POTUS, his Administration, and @DHSgov in their efforts to get criminal, illegal aliens off our streets. This keeps Nebraska safe. It keeps America safe. I’m proud that we are stepping up and making a difference for our country.”  

Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for more information. 

MILWAUKEE — For 31 years, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater has ended every performance of A Christmas Carol with a heartwarming tradition: cast members ask audience members for donations that are then given to a local charity.

Watch: Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services

Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services

This year’s chosen charity is Jewish Family Services, an organization that provides support to families in need throughout the community.

I was there when Jenny from the Rep and Jenny from Jewish Family Services celebrated the generosity of the community, which is providing gifts for families in need this holiday season.

Behind the scenes at Milwaukee Rep, volunteers were busy wrapping presents for their “A Christmas Carol Families” program. The initiative aligns perfectly with the theater’s mission of creating positive change in the community.

“This goes right to our mission of creating positive change in the community, and when we’re doing a play like A Christmas Carol, what better show to be able to use the themes from that production of generosity and compassion over greed to make sure that we’re walking the walk as well when we are saying, ‘Hey community, we should be doing this,’ right? So this is one example of how we can create that change in the community as well,” said Jenny from Milwaukee Rep.

The donations collected from theatergoers will make a significant impact for families served by Jewish Family Services, which has been operating since 1867.

“It’s going to make such a huge difference. These are families facing the harshest of circumstances. We’ve been in existence since 1867, but this year we have such extreme need from all the families we serve,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.

Even small contributions from audience members attending the beloved Milwaukee holiday tradition add up to meaningful support for local families.

“To everyone who went to see A Christmas Carol, which is such a holiday tradition here in Milwaukee, and made a donation — maybe it was just $1 or a couple bucks here and there — it all adds up and really is community showing up for community,” I said.

“We’re so grateful to have been chosen this year, and to align our missions like this with the Rep is just a community outpouring of support that is going to go directly to benefit some people who will be very grateful,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.

The longstanding tradition demonstrates how the theater continues to give back to Milwaukee, extending the spirit of the holiday classic beyond the stage and into the community.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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