Crime
Lafayette Mass Shooting: 73-Year-Old Gunman Kills One, Injures Two Before Taking His Own Life
LAFAYETTE, IN – December 5, 2024 – Authorities have released additional details and surveillance footage related to the tragic mass shooting at Lafayette Laundry on South Street, where 73-year-old Louis McGlothlin of Nebraska opened fire before turning the gun on himself.
McGlothlin parked his truck in the laundromat’s parking lot, locked his vehicle, and appeared to handle an object—possibly a handgun—before entering the business.
Once inside, he rapidly fired seven rounds, targeting multiple individuals before exiting and taking his own life.
- Keith Ford, 35 – Fatally shot at the scene.
- Renee Martin, 32 – Sustained gunshot wounds, transported to a hospital for treatment.
- Salvador Antonio De La Cruz Reyes, 30 – Also wounded, hospitalized with serious injuries.
Both Martin and Reyes survived but required extensive medical care.
Investigators believe McGlothlin was suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues, according to Lafayette Police Sgt. Shawn Verma.
Originally from Lafayette, McGlothlin later joined the U.S. Navy, retired, and settled in Lincoln, Nebraska. On December 5, 2024, he drove across four states before arriving at the laundromat, where he carried out the attack.
Following the shooting, authorities searched McGlothlin’s home and uncovered disturbing evidence suggesting he had been contemplating a similar act for decades.
Detectives found videos recorded 25 years ago in which McGlothlin discussed plans for a random mass shooting in the year 2000. However, for unknown reasons, he ultimately chose not to follow through at the time.
A handwritten note, discovered on an old DVD, detailed his intentions from decades prior. McGlothlin’s wife and family were unaware of his past plans or his actions leading up to the December 5th shooting.
Lafayette police have categorized the attack as random and emphasized that McGlothlin had no known connection to the victims.
Authorities have since released three surveillance videos documenting the incident following a public records request from the Journal & Courier.
“Our thoughts remain with the victims, their loved ones, and the first responders who witnessed this horrific event,” said Lafayette Police officials.
This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of mental health awareness and intervention, as well as the unpredictable nature of premeditated violence.
Authorities continue to investigate McGlothlin’s actions in the days leading up to the attack to determine any additional contributing factors.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.