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Omaha, NE - Omaha police have released two photographs of the man killed Tuesday in his front yard.

 

Officers shot 31-year-old Tyree Bell early New Year's Day near 42nd and Pratt.  Police Chief Todd Schmaderer defended the officers actions, "Bell was armed, he was involved in a domestic disturbance, he was extremely agitated, he displayed suicidal actions and words, and was using his son as a human shield."

 

The photos released today are frames of video recorded by cameras in a polic cruiser.  Both pictures show Bell on his front porch, holding his 3-year-old son and a shotgun.  Chief Schmaderer had described this video as "laser sharp".
 

Officers were called to the house at 3727 N. 42nd Street at 4 a.m. Tuesday.  According to police, officers negotiated with Bell for several hours as he repeatedly came out of the house holding his son and a shotgun.   When he pointed the gun at the officers, four officers shot Bell, killing him.  The little boy was not harmed.

 

The officers are now on paid administrative leave during the investigation. Nebraska law requires a grand jury investigation whenever a suspect is killed by police officers.

 

State Senator Brad Ashford, the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, says he'll propose major reform of the entire juvenile system.  Ashford says creating The Office of Juvenile Assistance would consolidate all juvenile services, and offer better treatment.  Ashford hopes they can keep tragedies like Sandy Hook Elementary or Von Maur from happening, and stop the everyday occurrences in the violent parts of our city.

 

“What's much more hard to do and tedious is figure out how are we going to intervene before that violent outcome occurs,” Ashford explained. “We have to be much more cognizant, much more aware of mental illness, mental health with juveniles."

 

State Sen. Ashford will introduce his legislation next week at the Nebraska State Capitol.