KPD Responds to Facebook Post

On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, the Killeen Police Department received information that a subject had texted a relative and made comments that “one day” he was going to commit a shooting at an unspecified Wal-Mart in Killeen.  An immediate investigation into this threat was launched. Killeen Police detectives interviewed the relative and Killeen Police immediately increased their security presence around Wal-Mart’s in Killeen until the validity of this threat could be assessed.

As the investigation progressed, out of an abundance of caution, a confidential law enforcement sensitive bulletin was sent to other area law enforcement agencies alerting them to the possible threat and to our investigation into it. Additionally, efforts were made to locate the subject who made these comments.

It was eventually determined that the subject who made these comments may not have been able to immediately carry them out, and they may have been made out of frustration. However, the Killeen Police Department is continuing the investigation and is still attempting to locate this subject who is believed to be aware of our attempts to locate him.

The Killeen Police Department is committed to the safety of our community and the citizens who live and work in Killeen. Unfortunately, it is not entirely uncommon for the police department to receive statements such as this. The investigation into the nature of these comments determined that notification to the public was not yet warranted and could unduly alarm the public.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department