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Curfew imposed after fatal shooting during Omaha protests

News

May 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials are imposing a curfew and the Nebraska national guard is being mobilized to help police after a man was killed during a demonstration in downtown Omaha over the death of George Floyd. Mayor Jean Stothert is declaring a State of Emergency in Omaha and is implementing an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew starting Sunday night, she announced during a news conference Sunday. It will last for 72 hours, she said. The order also prohibits gatherings of 25 or more and is punishable by misdemeanor, fine of up to $500 or not more than 6 months in jail.

The shooting occurred at around 11 p.m. Saturday in the city’s Old Market area and within a couple of blocks of where protesters had gathered. Police said they arrested someone within the hour in connection with the shooting of 22-year-old protester James Scurlock.  Officials didn’t say what led to the shooting during the protests. The protest in downtown Omaha followed one hours earlier a few miles away that started peacefully but devolved into clashes between protesters and police.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said police made 51 arrests Saturday night. Schmaderer said the majority of those arrested were white suspects and they are in the process of compiling information on arrests to be set to media. The FBI will do background on all suspects arrested, he said.