On Friday, June 28, 2024, a peaceful neighborhood in Crete, Nebraska, was disrupted by a shooting spree that left seven people, including four children, injured. The shooter, Billy Booth, a 74-year-old resident of the neighborhood, reportedly committed suicide after the shooting. The investigators are exploring whether the shooting was racially motivated.

The incident transpired at about 4:33 p.m. on Crestline Drive. Several 911 calls reported an active shooter, leading to an immediate response from the local police and Nebraska State Patrol. Upon reaching the scene, officers heard gunshots and promptly evacuated the victims. A subsequent search by a SWAT team discovered Booth dead inside his house from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a shotgun found nearby.

The victims, who were attending a social gathering at a local residence, ranged in age from three to 43. There were around 15 people at the house and the victims included four children, aged three to 10, and three adults. Some victims were inside the house, while others were outside when Booth started shooting from his home. All victims are believed to be of Hispanic origin from Guatemala. Authorities have confirmed that some victims have been discharged from the hospital, while others are still receiving treatment.

According to Crete Police Chief Gary Young, there had been earlier complaints about Booth, primarily concerning driving behavior and parking issues. He also stated that while the investigation is still ongoing, the nature of Booth’s past comments suggests a potential racial motive. “Certainly, the context of ‘Go home’ and ‘Speak English’ lends itself to that,” Young said.

Sawyer Hanson, the grandson of one of Booth’s neighbors, recalled that Booth had exhibited issues in the past but nothing as severe as this incident: “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.”

Mayor Dave Bauer of Crete, Nebraska, asserted that the shooting does not define the community. “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,” he declared.

As the ongoing investigation progresses, authorities are appealing to the public for any additional information.