Eric Bechtolt, a 45-year-old White male, was found fatally shot inside the Florence Tower apartments in north Omaha on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Police were called shortly after 6 p.m. to reports of shots fired near Browne Street and Florence Boulevard; when officers entered the building, they heard gunfire on the sixth floor, moved via the stairwell, and discovered Bechtolt deceased in the hallway.
Investigators said the suspect had been agitated and armed on that floor as residents sheltered or evacuated while officers worked to secure the scene.
Officers encountered 50-year-old Billy Dorrall, who was armed with two handguns; gunfire was exchanged and Dorrall suffered a non life-threatening wound before complying with commands and being taken into custody. He was transported for treatment and later booked on charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, multiple counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony, and felon in possession of a firearm. Police later identified Officer Alex Atkinson as the officer who fired his service weapon during the confrontation. Authorities said their investigation indicated Dorrall shot and killed Bechtolt during a disturbance before officers arrived.
