Tragic Shooting Shakes Crete Community
Last Friday at approximately 4:30 p.m., Billy Booth, a 74-year-old resident of Crete, Nebraska, opened fire on his Guatemalan neighbors, injuring seven people, including four children aged between three and ten. Booth subsequently committed suicide. The incident has left the small, diverse community of Crete, which is about 70 miles southwest of Omaha, in shock.
Authorities are investigating the motive behind the shooting, with a particular focus on whether there was a racial component. Booth had a history of conflicts with both white and Hispanic neighbors. The Guatemalan family had previously reported Booth for making obscene gestures, yelling at them to 'go back to their country,' and demanding that they 'speak English.'
Rising Hate Crimes Against Latinos in the United States
This tragic event highlights the increasing hate crimes against the Latino population in the United States. According to the Pew Research Institute, there are about 62.1 million Latinos in the country. In 2022, the FBI recorded 738 attacks against Latinos, a 21% increase from 2020. Reports suggest that these incidents continue to rise in 2023.
Data from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University indicates a significant increase in hate crimes against Latinos during Donald Trump's presidency, particularly following his anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. The recent Supreme Court ruling that ratifies his criminal immunity could potentially exacerbate the situation, as anti-immigration rhetoric remains a potent issue in the political landscape.
- Crete Police Chief Gary Young Jr. mentioned that authorities had prior contact with Booth due to several complaints he had filed since 2021. These complaints were mostly related to driving behaviors and quality of life issues in the neighborhood.
- In a press conference, Col. John A. Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, stated that there was no verbal contact between Booth and the victims immediately before the shooting. However, there was a history of tension between Booth and the victims' families.
- The Nebraska State Patrol confirmed that all the victims, who were Guatemalans, have been released from area hospitals.
- Authorities have yet to determine whether the shooting will be classified as a hate crime. The investigation is ongoing, and the community of Crete is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
