OMAHA — A Council Bluffs man who allegedly shot at law enforcement officers in Omaha and a female accomplice were taken into custody in Washington County on Friday morning.
Jason Davenport, 42, and Dana Banks were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center to be treated for injuries not believed to be life-threatening after both engaged in a standoff with law enforcement inside a shop building near Kennard, Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Col. John Bolduc said at a press conference in Lincoln.
According to Bolduc:
The incident began around 8:15 p.m. Thursday when state troopers went to a residence in the 6200 block of South 30th Street in Omaha to follow up on an active arrest warrant against Davenport after he allegedly fled from a traffic stop in Pottawattamie County last week.
Banks answered the door and confirmed Davenport was inside the residence. Bolduc said Davenport refused to exit the residence. More state troopers as well as Omaha police officers arrived to assist.
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At 8:56 p.m., the official said, Davenport left the residence and fired “at least two shots†from a handgun toward troopers. Davenport then jumped a fence and ran toward an unoccupied State Patrol cruiser. Several law enforcement officers fired their weapons toward Davenport as he attempted to steal the cruiser. Davenport failed due to the cruiser’s security measures.
Photos taken from a cruiser dashcam show Davenport appearing to hold a handgun in his right hand and raising it. Bolduc said Davenport was attempting to access a rifle locked inside the cruiser but was once again thwarted by the cruiser’s security measures.
A gray Ford Fusion sedan then drove up to Davenport. Banks exited the Fusion and approached Davenport. Davenport then held Banks in front of him as he went into the driver’s side of the Fusion. Banks, Bolduc said, then voluntarily got into the passenger’s seat. Banks was initially thought to be a hostage but now is believed to have been a willing accomplice, Bolduc said.
Davenport then led law enforcement on a car chase through Upland Park about 1½ miles east of the residence. Law enforcement lost visual with the Fusion.
Law enforcement searched for Davenport and Banks for about two hours before determining the two had left the area.
During the overnight hours, law enforcement received information that Davenport may be traveling in a different vehicle in Washington County. Around 3 a.m., a Washington County sheriff’s deputy located a Kia Soul SUV believed to have been stolen.
Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said in an email the deputy and another law enforcement officer attempted a “high risk†traffic stop on the vehicle, which fled. Davenport and Banks were inside the Soul, Bolduc said.
After a short vehicle chase, Davenport and Banks then fled on foot to a semitrailer truck inside the shop building near Kennard. Around 6:30 a.m., the Nebraska Department of Transportation said a 2-mile portion of U.S. 30 was closed southwest of Kennard due to law enforcement activity.
Numerous law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including a State Patrol SWAT team, arrived at the scene and a standoff commenced. Davenport refused to follow commands to drop the gun in his possession and exit the cab. Bolduc said Davenport pointed the weapon toward officers prompting them to fire.
Immediately after shots were fired, Bolduc said, Banks left the semi cab and surrendered. She was taken into custody and taken to the medical center for treatment of a gunshot wound.
Davenport still refused to exit the cab, Bolduc said. Eventually, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office brought an armored vehicle outfitted to allow access to the semi cab. Once access was achieved, a State Patrol K9 went into the semi cab. Davenport was then taken into custody and to the medical center.
Charges are pending against Davenport and Banks in Douglas and Washington counties, Bolduc said. The Omaha Police Department and State Patrol will investigate two officer-involved shootings. No officers were struck by gunfire.
The 10 state troopers who fired their weapons have been placed on leave in accordance with State Patrol policy. The investigation remains ongoing and there is no danger to the public, Bolduc said.
Bolduc added Davenport has a criminal history and may have been recently released from incarceration.