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Shoplifter Suspected in Shooting of Officer Held on $10M Bail

Editor’s Note: This is an update to a story we brought to you on Monday

A man arrested in the shooting of an Omaha police officer last week during a shoplifting call has been ordered held on $10 million bail. Kenya Lamont Jenkins Jr. would have to post 10% of the bail, or $1 million, to be released from jail pending the outcome of the charges against him.

Jenkins is charged with first-degree assault of a police officer, use of a firearm to commit a felony and driving a vehicle to avoid arrest. Officer Jeffrey Wittstruck was called Friday afternoon to Westroads Mall after Jenkins was detained by mall security on suspicion of shoplifting a package of T-shirts. Prosecutors said in court Monday that a struggle between the officer and Jenkins ensued before Jenkins pulled a gun and shot Wittstruck four times, hitting the officer in the face and head.

- Digital Partner -

The officer remains hospitalized in stable condition, prosecutors said, but suffered nerve damage in the shooting and faces a long recovery, including surgery. Jenkins was arrested hours after the shooting following a high-speed vehicle chase on Interstate 80.

Prosecutors had sought $5 million bail at Monday’s hearing, but Douglas County Court Judge Darryl Lowe doubled that amount after prosecutors noted that Jenkins — who is originally from Chicago — has no direct ties to Omaha and a criminal record out of Arizona that includes resisting arrest and escape…   AP News

 

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