Beatrice homicide suspect seen in court for first time, charged without bond
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The suspect in the Beatrice homicide was arraigned in Gage County court on Thursday.
Justis Barnhouse, 31, was officially charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Additionally, Judge Jeffrey Gaertig said Barnhouse would be held without bond.
This all comes after the Beatrice Police Department accused Barnhouse of killing 37-year-old Joshua May.
Around 2:30 p.m., deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office pulled Barnhouse over in Lincoln near North 98th Street and the Interstate 80 overpass.
After multiple commands were given and not followed, a K9 was deployed and made contact with Barnhouse, the sheriff’s office said.
He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, later released, and lodged in the Lancaster County Jail.
This all came after the Beatrice Police Department received a call from someone who heard three loud bangs followed by screaming around 5:30 a.m.
Sherry Brown lives in the area of the incident and says she was awoken by the noise of gunfire.
Officers were sent to an area near North Eighth and Jefferson streets, where they found May lying in the street.
According to the police department, May was conscious and told officers he had been shot.
He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Brown says she was not completely surprised.
“He has an extensive record on domestic violence and violence in general,” said Brown, who says she learned of it through word of mouth.
“He is well known for all of his violent tendencies and all of his background. He has been doing this for a while.”
According to court records, Barnhouse was arrested for a domestic violence dispute in October, where he was accused of strangling his girlfriend at the time.
He was later released after posting bond.
Brown has lived in Beatrice for many years, and says it’s mostly safe, but when violence strikes, she questions what could be done to stop it.
She also recounted the Beatrice shooting in 2020, of Alex Radar, which she feels wasn’t punished strongly enough.
“They need to be continuously held accountable, and those need to be taken into effect,” said Brown.
