Omaha man who shot himself after high-speed chase was wanted on felony warrant, officials say

Omaha man who shot himself after high-speed chase was wanted on felony warrant, officials say
World-Herald News Service

Law enforcement officials have identified the man who fatally shot himself Thursday after a pursuit that ended near 180th and Harrison Streets.

Blake Cedar, 26, of Omaha, was wanted on a felony warrant issued on a parole violation connected to possession of a weapon, Chief Deputy Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London said Friday.

Autopsy results confirmed that Cedar’s death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, London said.

The Ford pickup truck Cedar was driving was being pursued by Saunders County sheriff’s deputies and the Nebraska State Patrol after a theft in Wahoo, the patrol said. The chase ended in suburban Sarpy County.

Authorities say Cedar may have fired in the direction of a Saunders County deputy who tried to stop him.

Only Cedar was injured, and the patrol said preliminary information shows that no officers, deputies or troopers fired back in his direction.

The weapon he used to shoot himself was a Taurus 9 mm semiautomatic handgun, which was stolen in Omaha, London said.

Two women who were in the pickup with the man were interviewed by Sarpy County sheriff’s deputies.

At the patrol’s request, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation.

Lt. Matt Sutter of the patrol said the pursuit ended shortly before 3 p.m., when the pickup slowed and troopers heard a gunshot.

The patrol joined in the pursuit after the Saunders County deputy reported shots being fired and the chase entered Sarpy County in an area of neighborhoods and strip malls.

The pickup at one point eclipsed speeds of 100 mph, authorities say.

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