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Robbery suspect, ‘COPS’ crew member killed in officer-involved shooting in Omaha

Posted at 5:58 PM, Aug 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-27 19:58:50-04

By KPTM

Omaha, NE (KPTM) — Police in Omaha are investigating a deadly shooting near the intersection of 43rd and Dodge Streets.

Omaha Police said an officer shot a man accused of robbing the Wendy’s restaurant in the area Tuesday night. The suspect died at the hospital.

A crew member from the television show, COPS, was also shot and killed.

Wednesday afternoon Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said 38-year-old Bryce Dion was the television crew member that was killed. Police say he was an audio operator. Police say 32-year-old Cortez Washington was the other person that was shot. Police say witnesses told them that Washington had a gun and was firing at officers. Police say Washington was handcuffed and taken to the hospital. Police say the gun that he had was an air-soft gun and that officers said it sounded like a real gun.

Police say three officers fired their guns, Darren Cunningham, Brooks Riley and Jason Wilhelm. Police say Bryce Dion was shot by an officer’s weapon. The officers will be placed on paid administrator leave pending an investigation.

Police say Washington was on parole following a conviction in Missouri.

Police say officers were already in the area responding to a robbery at Little Caesars.

The television show has been filming in Omaha for the past month. Police say the show was invited to shoot in Omaha because the department wanted better police and community relations. The department also wanted to be transparent.

Click here for updates on this story from KPTM.