The peace of a suburban neighborhood in Crete, Nebraska was abruptly disrupted on the evening of June 28, 2024, when a series of shootings left a total of seven individuals wounded, four of them children. The suspect, identified as 74-year-old Billy Booth, was a neighbor of the victims. Booth reportedly opened fire on the group from his home before committing suicide. The authorities are currently investigating a potential racial motive behind the attack.
Records show the incident started at approximately 4:33 p.m. on Crestline Drive. Several 911 calls reported an active shooter in the area, leading to an immediate response from local police and the Nebraska State Patrol. Officers arriving at the scene heard gunshots and promptly evacuated the victims. Booth was later found deceased in his residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a shotgun lying close by.
The victims, whose ages ranged from three to 43 years, were part of a gathering at a residence where around 15 individuals were present. The injured parties included four children, aged between three and 10, and three adults. Some victims were inside the house, while others were outside when the shooting started. All victims are believed to be Hispanic, originating from Guatemala. Authorities have confirmed that while a few have been discharged from the hospital, others remain for continued treatment.
Crete Police Chief, Gary Young, noted that there had been previous complaints about Booth, mainly concerning driving behavior and parking disputes. While the investigation continues, Young acknowledged the possibility of a race-related motive, citing Booth’s past comments. “Certainly, the context of ‘Go home’ and ‘Speak English’ lends itself to that,” Young stated.
Sawyer Hanson, a grandson of one of Booth’s neighbors, shared that Booth had exhibited problematic behavior in the past, but nothing of this magnitude: “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 stressed that the incident does not define the community. He declared, “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 into the shooting continues, authorities are encouraging anyone with relevant information to step forward.
