Janet D. Jorgensen, a 66-year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska, was among the victims of a tragic shooting at the Von Maur department store in Westroads Mall on December 5, 2007. She was a longtime employee in the store's gift department and was well-liked by both coworkers and customers. Her daughter-in-law described her as having a friendly, outgoing personality, noting that almost everyone who shopped at Von Maur seemed to know her.
The shooting incident occurred during the holiday season, a time when the mall was particularly busy. Janet Jorgensen was one of eight individuals who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. The assailant, identified as Robert A. Hawkins, a 19-year-old from Bellevue, Nebraska, entered the store and opened fire, causing widespread panic and chaos. Hawkins took his own life at the scene, ending the rampage.
In the aftermath of the shooting, there were no arrests or additional suspects identified. The investigation concluded that Robert A. Hawkins acted alone in carrying out the attack. The incident left the Omaha community in shock and mourning, as residents grappled with the loss of innocent lives, including that of Janet Jorgensen.
Janet Jorgensen is survived by her husband, Ronald E. Jorgensen; their three children and their spouses; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Colleen Wilson. Her family and friends remember her as a kind and caring individual who touched the lives of many during her time at Von Maur.
