A peaceful neighborhood in Crete, Nebraska was rocked on the evening of June 28, 2024, as seven people, including four children, were injured in a shooting spree.
The alleged assailant, 74-year-old Billy Booth, who resided adjacent to the victims, initiated the attack before committing suicide. Authorities are currently probing the incident for potential racial motivations.
The incident occurred around 4:33 p.m. on Crestline Drive. Multiple emergency calls alerted authorities to an active shooter, leading to an immediate response from the local police and Nebraska State Patrol. On reaching the scene, officers heard gunshots and promptly evacuated the victims. The suspect, Booth, was later discovered dead in his residence from a self-inflicted gunshot, with a shotgun found nearby by a SWAT team.
The victims, who range in age from three to 43, were part of a gathering of approximately 15 people at a residence. The children injured ranged from three to 10 years old, and the remaining victims were adults. Some were inside the house while others were outside when the shooting started from Booth’s home. All the victims are believed to be Guatemalan Hispanics, and authorities have confirmed that while some have been discharged from the hospital, others are still undergoing treatment.
According to Crete Police Chief Gary Young, there had been previous complaints against Booth, mainly concerning driving conduct and parking disputes. While the investigation is still underway, Young acknowledged that the nature of Booth’s past remarks could suggest a racial bias. “Certainly, the context of ‘Go home’ and ‘Speak English’ lends itself to that,” Young stated.
Sawyer Hanson, the grandson of a neighbor of Booth, remarked that while Booth had exhibited issues previously, nothing suggested a violent outburst of this magnitude. Hanson said, “There were times when he seemed like an ordinary person, and you wouldn’t give him a second thought. But other times, he would yell about anything and everything. No one did anything to provoke him or trigger that kind of anger.”
Crete’s Mayor Dave Bauer underscored that this incident is not representative of the community. He expressed, “Crete remains the same welcoming place it has always been. We’ve experienced changes over the years, but they have been positive. We can overcome this incident by embracing these changes and moving forward together.”
As the investigation progresses, authorities are encouraging anyone with relevant information to step forward.
