Update 6/30/2023: Officers took Adonis Bess, 37, into custody after a short foot pursuit. He was booked into Douglas County Corrections for 2nd-degree assault, use of a weapon to commit a felony and obstructing.
Original story:
It is the second assault that has occurred at Discount Laundry near 25th and Leavenworth Street in a week. On June 29th, a female was assaulted, while at work, with a screwdriver multiple times. She was transported to Nebraska Medicine in serious condition with a puncture wound to the back of her head.
On June 24th, 2023, a male in his 50's was found down and bloody in the parking lot of Discount Laundry after possibly being assaulted with fists. He was transported in critical condition to Nebraska Medicine. His current condition is unknown.
Omaha Scanner spoke with the victim of the second assault, Merrideth, who was at work when she asked a male to leave the laundromat. The unidentified male was causing a disturbance and bothering other customers according to the victim.
Merrideth states that is "needless" that people think they can put their hands on others, that this kind of violence just needs to stop and although the actions of the man today were uncalled for, she wonders if the male is struggling. She wants better for all people and that if we see something, to say something. She strives to serve the homeless with food or water if she can and she believes in treating all humans with dignity and respect. Merrideth believes that we should treat others the way we would want to be treated.
Merrideth says the incident was scary because she didn't feel like she had any security measures in place to protect herself. She says the doors at work do not lock and there is no work telephone. That workers must rely on cellphones to call for help if needed. She also says there are no outside lights in the parking lot but only little disc ones on the walkway or above the door. The door to the office doesn't latch from inside which could have provided a place to hide in an emergency like today, she explained. She felt very afraid during the attack and feels unsafe after today's attack.
Merrideth states a detective has reached out and that a suspect has been taken into custody, we will update our post as we know more.
If you have tips on the identity of this man, please contact Omaha CrimeStoppers at 402-444-STOP. Report number: AT10253.
