Seven people, including four children, were shot by a neighbor in Crete, Nebraska, who had previously told them to “go back to where they came from” and to “speak English,” according to law enforcement. The victims, all reportedly Hispanic, are expected to survive.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when 74-year-old Billy Booth fired his gun at his neighbors from inside his home before turning the weapon on himself. Approximately 15 people were present at the home, with most of the victims outside when they were struck by the gunfire. The victims include three adults aged between 22 and 43, and four children aged between three and 10. Some have been treated and released from the hospital, while others are still receiving care in Lincoln and Omaha.
Law enforcement found several victims with gunshot wounds at the scene and located Booth inside his home, where he had taken his own life. A shotgun was found near his body. Crete Police Chief Gary Young Jr. stated that Booth and his neighbors had prior disputes, but no immediate conflict preceded the shooting. Previous disputes included arguments over parking and other neighborhood issues.
Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc said during a press briefing that several 911 calls were made about an active shooter situation around 4:33 p.m. on Friday. As police arrived, they could hear gunshots, including a single gunshot from a home across the street. It was quickly determined that all gunfire had come from Booth’s residence at 1810 Parkland Street. A SWAT team arrived to detain what they thought was a barricaded suspect, but upon entering the residence around 6:40 p.m., they found Booth dead.
Preliminary investigations show that all rounds fired by Booth came from inside his house. Investigators are still working to understand everything that occurred, but it is believed there was no verbal contact between Booth and the victims in the moments leading up to the shooting.
Chief Young mentioned that since 2021, police had responded to several complaints, mostly from Booth, regarding driving behavior in the neighborhood. These complaints included cars driving too fast, improper parking, and other quality-of-life issues. There was a single report from the victims that Booth had flipped them off and told them to “go home” or “back to where they came from” and to “speak English.” The family chose not to take the case further at the time, which resolved the situation.
Joshua Morales, a friend of one of the victims, told KETV that he believed the shooting was racially motivated. Morales said Booth had previously told his friend’s parents to go back to their country, leading to problems that culminated in the shooting. Morales added that Booth shot his friend and his friend’s mother, who took four bullets to the back.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, but the context of Booth’s previous comments suggests a possible racial element. Authorities are asking anyone with information on the case to come forward.
Source: KETV, NBC News, PEOPLE
