BLOOMFIELD, Neb. — A somber conclusion arrived in a Knox County courtroom July 29 as Judge James Kube sentenced Alias Reed to two life sentences for the murders of 77-year-old Curtis Strom and 49-year-old William Reffett at Curt’s Lanes in Bloomfield.

The sentencing follows Reed's no contest plea to first-degree murder in June, which led the state to drop two firearm charges and abandon the pursuit of the death penalty.

The courtroom drama unfolded as details of the crime resurfaced, recalling the moment Reed shot both Curtis Strahm and William Taffet in the back of the head with a shotgun inside the bowling alley.

The plea came days after Kaylynn Sweazy admitted guilt to tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony, further entangling the case's complexities.

Judge Kube, visibly perplexed, questioned Reed about the motive behind the heinous act, especially considering Reed's clean criminal record prior to the shootings, save for a misdemeanor in 2018. Reed's unsettling response of "I don't know" echoed through the courtroom, followed by his admission of feeling "scared" during the act.

The emotional impact rippled through the courtroom as Curtis Strom’s daughter, Page Hingst, shared poignant memories of her father's selflessness. Dustin Chancey, Strom’s son, conveyed the family's sentiment, stating, "We feel like the sentencing this is fair and the fact that he doesn't get to step out and see the light of day again is probably our biggest joy right now." In a final moment, Judge Kube allowed Reed to address the families, to which he simply stated, "I’m very sorry."