Grand jury finds no criminal conduct in Omaha police shooting of unarmed Cameron Ford

Ford, 37, was shot and killed by Officer Adam Weil, a member of the Omaha Police Department’s SWAT team, while conducting an unprecedented search of Ford’s home on Aug. 28. Ford was unarmed.

Kleine announced on September 5 that his office I wouldn’t press charges against Vail and said Vail had reason to believe his safety was at risk. Under Nebraska law, the use of deadly force is justified if a person had “reasonable grounds” to believe he was in danger of death or serious bodily injury, even if he was mistaken about the degree of danger.

Following Klein’s decision not to charge Vail, North Omaha leaders and Ford family members called a special prosecutor conduct an independent investigation into Ford’s death.

On September 25, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer announced he was recommending Vail. be terminated for violating department policy as a result of Ford’s murder.

Schmaderer said he was basing his recommendations on the results of a “comprehensive and thorough” internal affairs investigation, which is separate from the criminal and grand jury investigations. In his statement, Schmaderer said he did not see or disclose any criminal intent on Weil’s part.

The grand jury, which met Tuesday through Thursday, also found no criminal wrongdoing and returned a “false bill” in 12 other deaths, according to the news release.

Under state law, a grand jury meets to consider the facts and character of a person who dies in jail, while in the custody or presence of police, or when police attempt to apprehend the person.