Nebraska
The seven people shot by a neighbor at their Nebraska home were Guatemalan immigrants
A Guatemalan family who was targeted by their neighbor in Nebraska told police that the man had tried to start a fight and “flipped them off” five weeks before he shot seven people at their home last weekend.
The neighbor, Billy Booth, 74, was found dead of a self-inflected gunshot wound at the family’s home after the Friday attack, which the Nebraska State Police is investigating as a possible hate crime.
All seven, including four children, have been released from the hospital, police said.
In the earlier incident on May 21, the family called police to report that Booth was calling them names, but no direct threat was made, according to the department.
Officers took statements from family members but they were “not interested in being involved in a legal dispute,” according to the police report.
Police said Booth, who is white, had been involved in previous conflicts with several of his white neighbors, as well as the Guatemalan family.
Dave Hansen, who lives next door to Booth, said he did not believe the shooting was racially motivated.
“I don’t care what the police say, I lived next to that guy for 10 years. and he wasn’t racist,” Hansen said. “But I feel very lucky he didn’t shoot me.”
Hansen said Booth fired a shotgun at members of the Guatemalan family after some kids walked onto his property to retrieve a soccer ball.
He said Booth often antagonized residents over decreasing property value.
“Anybody who didn’t take care of their yard, he was all over you,” Hansen said. “The last seven years were hell.”
The seven victims were from the state of Huehuetenango in Guatemala and of mixed legal status to be in the U.S., according to the Guatemalan Consul General’s Office in Omaha.
At the time of the shooting, a family gathering was taking place at the home, authorities said. Two of the victims worked at the Smithfield Foods meatpacking company in Crete, the consul general’s office said.
“We are thinking of and concerned about members of our team who have been affected,” Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe said in a statement. “We hope they will focus on family and recovery at this time.”
Police said calls concerning Booth and the family date back to 2021, most being complaints from Booth regarding “driving behavior.”
During the altercation in May, Booth told members of the Guatemalan family to “go home” or “back to where they came from” and to “speak English,” police said.
Billy Muñoz, consul general of the Guatemalan Consulate in Omaha, said his office would do what it could to help the family.
“Unfortunately, (the) consulate is taking into account that it is an election year where it’s like hate will be more frequent,” Muñoz said.
Saul Lopez, interim executive director of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, a nonprofit that supports Indigenous people in Nebraska, said many immigrants have had trouble adjusting to life in the state.
“Nebraska is a very difficult environment for immigrants,” he said. “It is not an ideal place where immigrants can move into. It is a very hard place because a lot of people do not like immigrants at all.”
Nebraska released the volleyball schedule for the 2025 season earlier this week. The Huskers finished the 2024 season with a 33-3 record. They also won the Big Ten title with a 19-1 conference mark.
They entered the NCAA Tournament as the third overall seed, making it all the way to the semifinals before falling to eventual national champion Penn State.
One of the key storylines for this season will be new coach Dani Busboom Kelly. She took over in January 2025, following the retirement of legendary coach John Cook. Now, Nebraska volleyball will begin a new era.
The Huskers kick off the season on Friday, Aug. 22, when they host the Pitt Panthers at Pinnacle Bank Arena as part of the AVCA First Serve Showcase. They start Big Ten play against the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday, Sep. 24, in Lincoln, Nebraska. They close the 2025 season on Nov. 29 at home against Ohio State.
The program looks poised for another major run in 2025, but will have to try to replace All-Americans Lexi Rodriguez and Merritt Beason. Things will look a bit different on the sidelines without Cook, but the program should be in good hands with a new head coach, and most of last season’s starters are returning.
Find the entire schedule below.
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Friday, May 30, 2025 12:21AM
Vacationing in Nebraska can offer an off-the-grid experience for this year’s summer travel plans, Gabe Saglie from Travel Zoo explained to ABC7.
CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re still looking to book a summer vacation, a trip to Nebraska might be something to consider, especially if you want to go off the grid for a bit.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Gabe Saglie from Travel Zoo joined ABC7 Thursday to talk more about the travel destination.
Saglie spoke about an off-the-grid trend and how Nebraska is already benefiting.
The full interview can be viewed in the video player above.
Nebraska is well-known for having plenty of open space.
One location, Arbor Day Farm, is a huge draw for family travel.
Also, there plenty of events and festivals happening in Nebraska’s largest city.
More details about vacationing in Nebraska and other destinations can be found on Travel Zoo’s website.
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska Legislature gave final approval Wednesday night to a bill restricting which sports teams transgender athletes can play on.
Senators voted 33-16 to approve Legislative Bill 89, called the Stand With Women Act.
The legislation will bar transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that don’t correspond to their sex assigned at birth.
SEE ALSO: Poll of the Day: Should there be restrictions on transgender athletes in female sports?
The first few senators during debate spoke in opposition of the bill, including Sen. John Frederickson of Omaha.
“I believe we want to protect women,” he said. “I think we also know this is not the way to do it.”
Sen. George Dungan also weighed in on the opposition, saying there are holes in the legislation.
“What I think has gone unanswered at certain times by the proponents of this bill is how it’s supposed to work,” he said. “A simple read of the pages shows it doesn’t make any sense at all.”
SEE ALSO: With Pillen close by, Trump signs order on transgender athletes, reigniting debate
But then Sen. Loren Lippencott spoke in favor of the measure, saying this isn’t about exclusion.
“Some may argue this bill excludes certain efforts,” he said. “But LB 89 is not about shutting doors; it’s about opening the right ones.”
The Nebraska School Activities Association has said it will fully support whatever decision the governor and state lawmakers make on this issue.
The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Jim Pillen, who has been pushing for this type of law for years.
“This legislation achieves a key goal — protecting girls and women’s sports,” Pillen said in a statement after the vote. “It’s just common sense that girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological boys. This legislative win will lead to many more victories for Nebraska’s female athletes, as we ensure a level and fair playing field for all girls who compete. I look forward to signing it into law.”
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