The Omaha Police Department has released more details leading up to the arrest of a man who shot himself at the Douglas County Jail.
Omaha Police say on Sunday, two officers were called to the area of 100th and Maple for a report of a domestic assault and carjacking that had just occurred. Police say the caller was reluctant to tell the officers who assaulted and took her vehicle, but that a witness told officers that the suspect was the caller's boyfriend. Investigators say the witness also informed officers that this was not the first time the suspect had assaulted the caller.
During the officers' investigation, OPD says it was learned that the suspect, Brandon Jennings, approached the caller as she was dropping off her child at the babysitter's home. Investigators say a verbal argument ensued, then Jennings physically assaulted the caller, forcibly took her vehicle from her and fled the area.
Police say once the officers found the vehicle, they learned that the passenger, Jennings, had a felony warrant and a misdemeanor warrant on file. A handgun was found in the vehicle, which Brandon Jennings took ownership to, according to police.
OPD says officers searched both people in the vehicle, before transporting them to Central Headquarters for questioning. Investigators say both people were questioned by detectives about the carjacking incident, then transported to Douglas County Department of Corrections.
Omaha Police say the transporting officers were still at the DCDC when Jennings displayed the handgun and later shot himself. They say there was Body Worn Camera footage that shows the officers responding to the incident from the booking area where detainees are processed, but that the shooting occurred in another room away from the officer's view and was not captured on the officer’s body worn camera.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has authorized an internal investigation into the incident. The Internal Affairs Unit will investigate the case once the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has completed their investigation.