Maria Garcia Sanchez and her family endured a terrifying ordeal when their Nebraska neighbor, Billy Booth, opened fire on them, injuring seven individuals, including Sanchez’s 3-year-old grandson. The incident, which took place in Crete, left Sanchez fearing for their lives as she shielded her grandson from harm.
“I thought it was the end,” Sanchez recalled, recounting the moment Booth began shooting. “I grabbed my grandson and shielded him, turning him away from the gunfire. I was hit in the arm and head.”
Despite their injuries, Sanchez, her husband, grandson, daughter, son-in-law, and nieces have been discharged from the hospital and are now recovering at home, although they still bear physical and emotional scars.
Booth, who perpetrated the shooting, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the incident as a potential hate crime, following previous disputes between Booth and the Guatemalan family, including verbal altercations and offensive remarks.
The family had previously reported instances of harassment by Booth to the police, although no direct threats were made. According to Sanchez, tensions escalated when Booth fired at them during a dispute over property boundaries.
While some neighbors dispute claims of racial motivation, citing prior conflicts with various residents, the Consul General’s Office in Omaha has highlighted the mixed legal status of the victims, underscoring community concerns regarding immigrant safety in Nebraska.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about immigrant experiences within the state, with community leaders and advocates showing solidarity and support for the affected family. Organizations such as Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim have voiced concerns over the challenges faced by immigrants in Nebraska, advocating for greater empathy and acceptance.
As the community comes together to assist the injured family during their recovery, the incident serves as a stark reminder of ongoing racial tensions and safety issues for immigrant communities in Nebraska.