Eric Bechtolt Obituary, Death – The Omaha Police Department has released key details surrounding a violent shooting that occurred Sunday evening at an apartment complex in the city. The incident left one man dead, another injured, and resulted in an Omaha police officer firing their service weapon during a confrontation with the suspect.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 50-year-old Billy Dorrall, who was taken into custody following the incident at Florence Tower, a residential complex located near Browne Street and Florence Boulevard. The victim in the fatal shooting was identified as 45-year-old Eric Bechtolt, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Timeline of the Incident
According to Omaha police, the incident unfolded just before 6 p.m. on Sunday, after dispatchers received multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside the Florence Tower apartment building. Callers described a man armed with multiple firearms and discharging them on the building’s sixth floor.
Responding officers approached the sixth floor using both the building’s elevator and stairwell. As they moved in, officers could hear gunshots from inside the complex, indicating the suspect was still actively firing as they arrived.
As officers ascended the stairwell and reached the sixth floor, they encountered the suspect, later confirmed to be Billy Dorrall. A brief exchange of gunfire took place between the officers and Dorrall. One of the officers discharged their firearm in Dorrall’s direction, prompting him to retreat further into the hallway.
When officers gained entry to the hallway, they discovered the body of Eric Bechtolt, who had already succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds. Police said Bechtolt had been killed before officers arrived at the scene.
Further down the hallway, officers located Dorrall, who was still armed with two handguns and had sustained a gunshot wound. His injury was described as non-life-threatening. Officers gave him multiple verbal commands, which he followed, allowing police to arrest him without any additional confrontation.
Suspect’s Background and Charges
Following his arrest, Dorrall was transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he received treatment for his injuries. After medical evaluation, he was officially charged in connection with the deadly incident.
Dorrall now faces several serious criminal charges, including:
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First-degree murder
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Attempted second-degree murder
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Attempted first-degree assault
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Three counts of using a weapon to commit a felony
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Felon in possession of a firearm
These charges stem from both the killing of Bechtolt and the violent interaction with law enforcement officers who responded to the emergency.
Investigators believe that the deadly shooting of Bechtolt was the result of a prior disturbance between the two men before police arrived on scene. The precise nature of the disturbance and any previous relationship between the suspect and victim has not been disclosed at this time.
Ongoing Investigation
The Omaha Police Department has launched a comprehensive investigation into the events of Sunday evening. The case is being handled by the department’s Officer-Involved Investigations Team and is supported by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office. These units are tasked with piecing together the full timeline of the shooting and evaluating the use of force by the officers involved.
Police confirmed that portions of the incident were recorded on the body cameras worn by the officers who responded. These videos are currently being reviewed as part of the investigative process. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy. They are expected to be interviewed in the coming days.
Omaha police stated that additional information will be made available after those interviews take place. In the meantime, the Douglas County Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine whether formal charges against Dorrall will proceed based on the current evidence.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
The shooting has drawn attention across the city, with residents expressing concern about gun violence and the safety of local apartment complexes. Florence Tower, where the incident took place, is home to many residents, and neighbors were reportedly alarmed by the sound of gunfire and the heavy police presence on Sunday evening.
This incident marks another serious example of gun-related violence in Omaha and underscores the dangers that both citizens and law enforcement officers face in responding to such calls. While no officers were physically injured, the event has sparked renewed discussion about mental health resources, conflict resolution, and the proliferation of firearms among individuals with criminal backgrounds.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials have asked anyone with additional information about the case, including eyewitnesses or those who may have interacted with either the victim or the suspect, to come forward.
More details, including footage from body cameras and official statements from involved officers, are expected to be released once interviews and internal reviews are complete. Meanwhile, Eric Bechtolt’s family and loved ones mourn his loss, while the legal process begins for Billy Dorrall in what is shaping up to be a complex and high-profile criminal case.