CRETE, NE – A deadly shooting incident occurred in Crete, Nebraska, leaving a community in shock as a white man, described as a recluse with a history of tension with his neighbors, opened fire on a group of Guatemalan immigrants, wounding seven people. The gunman, identified as 74-year-old Billy Booth, subsequently took his own life.
The incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. on Friday when Booth reportedly used a shotgun to fire at his neighbors from his residence. According to officials, about 15 people, including four children aged between 3 to 10, were gathered mostly in the yard of the home next door to Booth’s when the shooting began. All victims, who are related, are expected to recover from their injuries.
Crete, a town with a diverse community of about 7,000 residents, is located approximately 70 miles southwest of Omaha. The population includes about 50% Hispanic and almost 25% foreign-born residents, reflecting a rich cultural mix that has been deeply impacted by the violence.
Investigations into Booth’s motives are ongoing, with authorities not dismissing the possibility of racial animosity playing a role in the attack. Crete Police Chief Gary Young highlighted past incidents involving Booth that suggested problematic behavior towards the Hispanic community. He was known to have told the same family to go back to where they came from and told the family to “speak English”, though they did not press charges at the time.
Local residents described Booth as generally unfriendly and prone to disputes, not only with his Hispanic neighbors but also with other locals. “He hated everybody,” said Dave Hansen, a neighbor living next to Booth.
The Crete community, while trying to come to terms with the Friday tragedy, now faces the challenge of reconciling the violence with the town’s otherwise harmonious multicultural identity. The incident has not only caused physical harm but also emotional and psychological distress among the townsfolk, sparking broader discussions on racial tensions and community safety.