Recent Violence Leads Police To More Illegal Guns

OMAHA, Neb. -- Gun violence over the last few weeks in Omaha has exploded. Police have investigated four homicides in that time, but the spike in shootings has led to a spike in the tips to investigators.

Getting illegal weapons off the street is one benefit of the increase in sharing information with police. Some 700 firearms have been confiscated by the Omaha Police Department this year.

"Any illegal gun we can get off the street makes a huge difference," said Lt. Shayna Ray with OPD.

Ray said the recent rise in weapons seizures is thanks to community tips, 911 calls, and traffic and investigative stops.

"As we recognize that it's going to take a village to solve these problems, the village is starting to step forward and cooperate with one another," said Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray.

A gunman took the lives of Lendale Kyles, 21, and Xavon Watson, 18, two weeks ago. That was the first of four fatal shootings in five days. Angelo Domena and Adrian Lessley were killed in two other separate shooting incidents.

"This foolishness is not OK and it needs to stop," said Gray.

One key to the increase in the efforts to get weapons off the streets is OPD's gun bounty program. One tip concerning an illegal firearm and one arrest means $500 for the person who steps up.

"One gun could prevent a shooting or a homicide," said Ray.

Examples of illegal firearms are a felon with a gun, non-registered handguns, stolen weapons or defaced firearms.

Anyone can turn in a weapon through Omaha's gun bounty program by calling Omaha Crime Stoppers at 444-STOP.