Federal authorities have unveiled a photograph of an undocumented immigrant charged with injuring four police officers in Nebraska on December 3, following a brutal assault on a 61-year-old man in what is believed to be a random act of violence.

“This violent individual from El Salvador is accused of the cold-blooded shooting of four police officers and a 61-year-old man in Omaha on December 3,” stated Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Despite numerous previous arrests for criminal activities, he remained free within American communities.”

The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Juan Ayala-Ramos, according to a joint announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday.

Ayala-Ramos reportedly entered the United States illegally as an unaccompanied minor possibly around the age of 10 in June 2007. Later that year, his deportation case was administratively closed by an immigration judge, essentially putting it on hold without a definitive ruling, as indicated by DHS.

Prior to this incident, Juan Ayala-Ramos had previous arrests for offenses including strangulation, burglary, and possession of a stolen firearm. (DHS/Omaha Police Department)

Ayala-Ramos was charged with assault by strangulation in 2019 and arrested for burglary and possession of a stolen gun in 2021. 

Local outlet KETV reported that he entered no-contest pleas to two burglary charges linked to a series of business break-ins and thefts in 2021. He also admitted guilt in multiple traffic-related cases involving driving without a valid license or proof of insurance, the outlet reported.

A suspect points a gun inside a restroom at a QuikTrip in Omaha, Neb., Dec. 3, 2025. (@TeamPillen/X)

On Dec. 3, Ayala-Ramos allegedly opened fire on 61-year-old Michael Kasper at Phil’s Foodway, a neighborhood grocery store, officials said. Kasper was loading groceries into his vehicle when Ayala-Ramos exited his own car and began firing a handgun, striking him multiple times, according to DHS.

Kasper was hospitalized in serious condition but is expected to survive, the Omaha Police Department said Dec. 4. Authorities said the suspect had no known motive or connection to the victim.

Omaha police are investigating an incident at a QuikTrip gas station that injured four officers and left the suspect dead in Omaha, Neb., Dec. 3, 2025.  (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)

Responding police tracked Ayala-Ramos’ vehicle to a QuikTrip gas station, where he barricaded himself inside a bathroom stall. Body camera footage shows him emerging from the stall and firing at officers positioned near the entryway.

(From top left) Det. Jordan Brandt, Sgt. Jonathan Holtrop, Det. Kyle Graber, Det. Chris Brown, Det. Brock Rengo and Sgt. Emilio Luna responded to a shooting at a QuikTrip in Omaha, Neb. Dec. 3, 2025. (Omaha Police Officers Association)

Officers returned fire, fatally shooting Ayala-Ramos. Four of the six responding officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries by either gunfire or shrapnel.  

“DHS sends our condolences to Michael Kasper, who is in serious condition, and all officers involved in these horrific attacks and prayers for a full recovery,” McLaughlin said. “We are thankful for the Omaha Police Department for their brave actions to stop this criminal’s shooting rampage.”