Emergency responses are recurring at Omaha motorcycle club, 911 data shows
A man was shot and killed outside the club Sunday morning, sparking the Omaha police union to slam the group on Facebook.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The shooting that left 37-year-old Alexander Whitcomb dead over the weekend is spurring calls to shut down the Los-Diablos Motorcycle Club — where the incident took place.
Data obtained by 6 News shows that first responders have been dispatched to the motorcycle club more than 200 times since 2019.
Officials believe that number is likely an underestimate since it doesn’t include instances of first responders being sent to the hospital for calls related to that address. Of those calls, five were for fights, 11 shooting-related, ten for crowds, 18 for noise, and 19 labeled as a “disturbance.”
LOS-DIABLOS RESPONDS
Los-Diablos Motorcycle Club responds to police criticism after Omaha homicide
The club denies any involvement in the homicide and says its "in full cooperation with law enforcement."
The numbers 6 News received from Douglas County 911 dispatch are up-to-date through Sept. 21. They do not include the latest response to the club, when police say hundreds of people were seen running from the club early Sunday morning after the shooting.
Captain Keith Williamson said he hopes the city prosecutor presses charges for violating the newly passed nuisance ordinance, a local law he helped create with the city attorney.
“They need to be held accountable for the element that they draw there during the time they draw, which terrorizes the neighborhood of the people that live there. That’s not being responsible. That’s not being a good neighbor. And it’s not being concerned for your community,” said Williamson.
6 News reached out to city prosecutor Kevin Slimp. He said the investigation is ongoing regarding the homicide at the motorcycle club, so he cannot comment on if he plans to press charges.
Since the city council passed the nuisance ordinance in February, they have not prosecuted anyone for violating the ordinance.
Neighbors recalled to 6 News multiple shots in a row being fired Sunday morning. Williamson also urges people to be responsible gun owners.
“The past few years, the number of firearms seized by the Omaha Police Department has increased,” he said. “We respect the right for people to lawfully and legally carry firearms and possess them. It’s just when they get in the wrong hands and they’re used for nefarious purposes is where we see these deadly outcomes.”
The club sits in city councilwoman Juanita Johnson’s district. She believes what happened Sunday morning is a result of poverty and wants to address what she calls the “root cause.”
To those calling officials to close down the club she said: “If there was crime outside of 72nd and Dodge consistently, would we close down Target? I think not. But I think if we did, let’s do it across the city of Omaha.”
If the city prosecutor decides to press charges the possible consequence is up to a $500 fine or 6 months in jail. If they are found keep violating the nuisance law, they could have their occupancy permit revoked, effectively shutting down the club.
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