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A routine visit to a Walmart in Omaha turned into a violent and chaotic emergency on Tuesday when police say a woman kidnapped a toddler inside the store, then slashed him with a knife outside before officers fatally shot her. The child survived but suffered serious facial injuries in a case that has triggered a multi-agency investigation.

Violence Begins Inside Walmart

Authorities say the suspect approached a female shopper and a 2- or 3-year-old boy inside the store before escalating the situation in seconds.

Deputy Chief Scott Gray said the woman had already stolen a large knife from the store before confronting them.

The encounter quickly turned into what police described as a kidnapping.

"took possession of the child, essentially kidnapping the child," Deputy Chief Scott Gray said.

Forced Exit at Knifepoint

Police say the suspect forced the woman to walk ahead of a shopping cart while she followed closely behind, holding the child at knifepoint.

The group then left the store and moved down a driveway, where the situation remained tense for several minutes.

Gray said the two women engaged in a verbal exchange while waiting outside before officers arrived.

"some verbal back and forth"

Authorities noted that the encounter did not initially appear alarming to people nearby.

"They kind of just purposely but casually walk out of the store, so I don't think anybody was actually looking at them as being a suspect of anything," Gray said.

Deadly Escalation Outside the Store

After a 911 call, officers arrived at the Walmart and issued commands to the suspect.

Police say the situation escalated rapidly when the woman began attacking the child in front of responding officers.

"swiping the knife at the child, cutting him across the face, " Gray said, adding the slashing was captured on video.

Body camera footage released by police shows the woman holding a knife above the child, who was seated in a shopping cart, while an officer aims his weapon at her.

At least one officer fired, killing the suspect at the scene.

Child Survives With Serious Injuries

The child was rushed to a hospital with a significant facial wound and an injury to one hand.

Officials say he is expected to survive.

Gray described the injury as severe.

"rather large laceration"

Investigation Ongoing

Police said the motive remains unclear. Investigators confirmed the suspect and the child’s caretaker did not know each other.

The suspect has not yet been identified.

Omaha police are reviewing store surveillance and body camera footage as part of a broader investigation involving the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say the incident appears to be isolated, though the full sequence of events is still being reconstructed.