Boy, 3, who was slashed by woman in Walmart parking lot issued heartbreaking request at hospital

3-Year-Old Survives Walmart Parking Lot Knife Attack; Father Describes Boy’s “Cowboy Courage”

Authorities in Omaha say a violent incident outside a Walmart store has left a community shaken after a 3-year-old boy was injured and a woman was fatally shot by responding officers.

According to the Omaha Police Department, officers responded on April 14 to reports of a disturbance in a Walmart parking lot involving a woman armed with a kitchen knife and a young child. Police say the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Noemi Guzman, had allegedly taken the knife from inside the store and made threats before confronting the child and guardian outside.

Authorities reported that officers issued multiple commands for Guzman to drop the weapon. When she allegedly refused and the child was injured, officers discharged their firearms. Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have stated that a full investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The child, identified as Cyler Hillman, was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Speaking to local media outlet KMTV, his father, Casey Hillman, described the emotional aftermath, saying his son’s first concerns after arriving at the hospital were for his father, a bandage, and returning home.

Hillman said the experience has been deeply traumatic for the child, who has since expressed fear about leaving the house. Despite this, he described his son as remarkably resilient, referring to his response as “cowboying up” in the face of fear.

A fundraising effort launched to support the child’s medical care has drawn significant community support, raising tens of thousands of dollars as of the latest updates.

Local officials say the investigation remains active as authorities review surveillance footage and witness accounts from the scene.