A quiet suburban neighborhood in Crete, Nebraska was shattered on Friday evening, June 28, 2024, when a shooting spree left seven people injured, including four children. The suspect, 74-year-old Billy Booth, who lived next door to the victims, opened fire before taking his own life. Authorities are investigating the shooting as potentially racially motivated.
The incident occurred around 4:33 p.m. on Crestline Drive. Multiple calls to 911 reported an active shooter, prompting a swift response from local police and the Nebraska State Patrol. Upon arrival, officers heard gunshots and quickly evacuated the victims to safety. A SWAT team later found the suspect, Booth, dead inside his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a shotgun nearby.
The victims, ranging in age from three to 43, were attending a gathering at a residence where about 15 people were present. Four of the victims were children aged three to 10, while three were adults. Some victims were inside the home, and others were outside when the shooting began. All are believed to be Hispanic from Guatemala, and authorities confirmed that some had already been released from the hospital while others remained for further treatment.
Crete Police Chief Gary Young mentioned that there had been prior complaints about Booth, mostly related to driving behavior and parking disputes. Though the investigation is ongoing, he acknowledged that the context of Booth’s previous comments might indicate a racial motive. “Certainly, the context of ‘Go home’ and ‘Speak English’ lends itself to that,” Young stated.
Sawyer Hanson, the grandson of one of Booth’s neighbors, mentioned that Booth had issues in the past but nothing to this extent: “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 Mayor Dave Bauer emphasized that the shooting does not reflect the community. He stated, “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 continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
