Investigators shed light on area homicides

BLOOMFIELD – The Nebraska State Patrol arrested two individuals following a shooting the morning of Feb. 20 in Bloomfield that claimed the lives of two people, who also have been identified.

Law enforcement officials – including State Patrol Capt. Dain Hicks and Knox County Sheriff Don Henery – held a press conference the morning of Feb. 21 at the Bloomfield Community Center to provide an update on the investigation.

Hicks expressed condolences from law enforcement to the families of both shooting victims – identified as Curtis “Curt” Strom, 77, and William Reffett, 49 – as well as to the entire community of Bloomfield.

“This would be a shocking event to any community, especially in a town as tight-knit as Bloomfield,” Hicks said.

Hicks noted the investigation is ongoing.

“Our goal in this investigation is to lead to a successful prosecution,” Hicks said.

At about 9:32 a.m. Feb. 20, the sheriff’s office received a report of a shooting that had occurred at Curt’s Lanes and Dining, located at 112 W. Grant St. in Bloomfield.

At that location, the sheriff’s office and Bloomfield Police Department located two deceased men, each with apparent gunshot wounds, inside the bowling alley, Hicks said.

The police department requested assistance from the State Patrol to investigate the incident.

“Shortly into the investigation, authorities detained multiple persons of interest,” Hicks said. “NSP troopers and investigators arrived on scene and began their investigation.”

During the preliminary part of the investigation, the State Patrol identified Alias Reed, 25, Bloomfield, as a person of interest. Reed was located a short time later and taken into custody.

According to the State Patrol’s investigation, Reed allegedly went to the bowling alley the morning of Feb. 20 with a shotgun, initiated an argument with Reffett and then shot Reffett. Moments later, Reed allegedly shot Strom.

Hicks noted Strom was not involved with the argument between Reed and Reffett, and shortly after the incident, Reed left the bowling alley.

Reed and Reed’s girlfriend, Kaylyne Sweazy, 27, were located a short time later at their home.

“During the investigation, troopers located the shotgun believed to be used in the murders – in a ditch along a county road several miles west of Bloomfield,” Hicks said.

Hicks noted investigators believe both Reed and Sweazy allegedly traveled to the rural location to dispose of the shotgun.

Following further investigation, Reed was arrested for two counts of first-degree murder in the case.

Hicks noted Reed – who has been lodged at the Knox County Jail in Center – also will be charged with robbery after money was found to have been stolen from the bowling alley.

Sweazy was arrested for tampering with evidence and has been lodged at the Antelope County Jail in Neligh.

“Again, our thoughts are with the families of these two victims, as well as with the entire community of Bloomfield,” Hicks said. “We understand that the community may desire more information about the details of this investigation, but our goal is for this to result in a successful prosecution.”

Funeral services for Strom are pending at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Bloomfield.