OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Omaha Police interviewed the two police officers involved in a shooting that killed one and injured another Thursday.

In a statement issued Friday, OPD says the two officers involved in the incident, Pablo Jimenez and Noah Zendejas, faced a “highly volatile” situation.

According to an OPD investigation, Rafael Crespo and a 36-year-old woman were barricaded in an interior closet.

The officers initially tried to de-escalate the tension, but when they heard gunshots they intervened.

“The officers acted heroically, putting themselves in harm’s way to save a hostage whose life was in imminent danger,” said Omaha Police Department Chief Todd Schmaderer. “The officers involved responded effectively, taking advantage of their training, and made a quick decision to intervene in a rapidly evolving dangerous situation.”

The officers gave voluntary interviews, according to the OPD statement, and told investigators that their decision to intervene was “motivated by concern for their lives, (the woman’s) life, and the safety of other officers.”

Crime scene evidence and autopsy report that Rafael Crespo, who died on friday nightHe died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officer Jiménez has more than 25 years of police experience, according to the release.

Officer Zendejas has been with OPD for three and a half years. He was also involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in September.

The case, according to the statement, will be presented to a grand jury once the investigation is concluded.

OPD will adhere to Nebraska grand jury statutes regarding the release of body camera footage of the incident.

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