In the pre-dawn stillness of Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, the parking lot of Kelly’s Liquor at 3505 North 30th Street in North Omaha became the stage for a harrowing scene of violence. At approximately 4:20 a.m., the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the quiet, leaving seven people injured in a mass shooting that has left the community reeling. The Omaha Police Department, in a swift and determined response, has arrested 31-year-old Maurice Brown, charging him with a slew of serious offenses tied to the chaotic incident that unfolded in the early hours.
The shooting erupted amidst a large gathering outside Kelly’s Liquor, near the intersection of North 30th Street and Bedford Avenue. Nearby officers, already on high alert, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene, where they encountered a chaotic exodus of people fleeing the area. The police department’s ShotSpotter technology confirmed multiple rounds fired, and investigators later recovered numerous spent casings scattered across the parking lot, painting a grim picture of the violence that transpired.
Among the seven victims were individuals ranging in age and background, all caught in the crossfire of Brown’s alleged actions. Maurice Brown himself, identified as the primary suspect, was among the injured, arriving at Immanuel Medical Center by private vehicle for treatment. Alongside him, three other men—Havier White, 22, Royce Jones Jr., 38, and Camron Jones, 21—were also treated at Immanuel for gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, two additional victims, Maurice Miller, 43, and Tareya Burton, 30, sought care at Creighton University Medical Center-University Campus. In a chilling twist, 26-year-old D’zhaun Tucker was shot while attempting to flee the scene in his vehicle, losing control and crashing near North 36th Avenue and Lothrop Street due to his injuries. Miraculously, none of the injuries sustained were deemed life-threatening, offering a sliver of relief in an otherwise devastating event.
Maurice Brown, now in custody, faces a litany of charges that reflect the severity of the incident: seven counts of using a firearm to commit a felony, six counts of second-degree assault, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of attempted first-degree assault. These charges underscore the reckless endangerment of lives and the profound impact on the victims, whose lives were forever altered in those fleeting, violent moments. Brown’s booking photo, released by the Omaha Police Department, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those who disrupt the peace of the community.
The investigation, led by the Omaha Police Department’s Assault Unit, remains active as authorities work tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. The incident occurred just hours before the biennial Native Omaha Days Parade was set to pass near the scene, adding a layer of poignancy to an event meant to celebrate community and unity. The police are calling on the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the Assault Unit directly at 402-444-4600 or to provide anonymous tips through Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, via omahacrimestoppers.org, or the P3 Tips mobile app. A commitment to justice drives the ongoing efforts, with law enforcement emphasizing that community safety is their utmost priority.
As North Omaha grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, voices from the community echo a call for change. The Rev. Pastor Dwayne Burgess of Bethel Deliverance Ministries spoke passionately about the need for unity and action to stem the tide of violence. “If we come out of these walls, out of those caves they call church, and we get out here and march together… people wouldn’t be dying,” he said, his words a plea for a collective effort to restore peace and hope to the streets of Omaha.
The Omaha Police Department has vowed to provide updates as new information emerges, and the community remains on edge, yearning for answers and healing. For now, Maurice Brown awaits his day in court, where the full weight of his alleged actions will be measured. In the meantime, the people of North Omaha hold fast to their resilience, determined to rise above this dark chapter and reclaim the safety and spirit of their community.
