An audio technician working on the reality show Cops was critically wounded during a shootout Tuesday in Omaha, Nebraska. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Omaha Deputy Police Chief Dave Baker told NBC affiliate WOWT that an officer saw a robbery taking place at a Wendy’s fast food restaurant around 9:20 p.m. The officer saw the suspect hold up a cashier at gunpoint and the officer waited to meet the robber outside the Wendy’s. There was a confrontation and gunshots exchanged.
After the shootout, the suspect was rushed to Nebraska Medical Center and later died as well. His name was not made public.
Cops has been filming in Omaha since June to put together a new episode of the long-running syndicated show. The name of the crew member shot was not released by police, although Langley Productions identified him as Bryce Dion. He was taken to a different hospital.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy and our main concern is helping his family in any way we can,” the production company said in a statement to Deadline. “Bryce Dion was a long term member of the Cops team and a very talented and dedicated person. We mourn his passing. An investigation is ongoing and we are cooperating with local authorities.”
Cops has been on the air since 1989 and started on Fox. It is now carried by cable network Spike TV. It was created by John Langley and Malcolm Barbour and puts the viewer behind-the-scenes with police officers in cities and towns across the country.