Joshua May Shooting: Justis Barnhouse Arrested in Beatrice Deadly Incident – Just hours after a violent disturbance rattled a Beatrice neighborhood, law enforcement tracked down and arrested a suspect they say is responsible for a deadly shooting that claimed the life of 37-year-old Joshua May.
It began with a series of alarming 911 calls early Tuesday morning. Residents near 9th and Summit Streets reported hearing screams and loud banging, the kind of sounds that immediately signal something is wrong. Officers responded quickly, unsure of what they would find.
What they discovered was grim. Joshua May was lying in a grassy area near the sidewalk, badly injured. First responders worked to stabilize him before rushing him to the hospital, but he later died from his wounds, leaving behind a community searching for answers.
From that moment, the investigation moved fast. Authorities pulled together a multi-agency effort, combining local, state, and federal resources. The goal was clear: identify the suspect and prevent any further danger.
Attention soon turned to Justis Barnhouse, a 31-year-old from Beatrice. Investigators linked him to the shooting and began efforts to locate him. By Tuesday, those efforts paid off when Barnhouse was found in Lincoln and taken into custody on an outstanding warrant tied to the case.
He is now facing multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder and weapons-related offenses. The arrest marked a key development, but it did not answer the deeper question of why the violence happened in the first place.
Authorities have kept details about the motive tightly controlled. What led to the confrontation between Barnhouse and May remains unclear. Detectives continue to review evidence and talk to witnesses, trying to reconstruct the events that unfolded in those early morning hours.
For residents in the area, the shock still lingers. A place that once felt routine is now tied to a deadly incident that unfolded without warning. Investigators say they are committed to getting a full picture and are asking the public to share any information that might help close the gaps.
