Police arrest suspect in deadly Beatrice shooting

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Authorities arrested a suspect following a deadly shooting early Tuesday morning.

In coordination with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service, the Beatrice Police Department said 31-year-old Justis Barnhouse was arrested in Lincoln on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 2:30 p.m., deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office pulled Barnhouse over 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.

Barnhouse was taken into custody on an arrest warrant and is facing charges of second-degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

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 Ninth and Summit streets where they found a man lying in the street.

According to the police department, the man was conscious and told officers he had been shot.

The man — 37-year-old Joshua May — 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.

The investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back with Channel 8 for updates.