Press Release

For Immediate Release

April 28, 2017

Killeen Police Investigate Traffic Crash Involving Jasper Road Overpass.

At approximately 12:13 p.m. on April 28, 2017, Killeen Police responded to a traffic crash on westbound US Highway 190/Interstate 14 at the Jasper Road overpass. Officers determined that a construction excavator being hauled by a tractor trailer was traveling westbound on the highway and struck the underside of the Jasper Road overpass as it passed underneath. Several large pieces of concrete fell on the roadway below. A minivan that was also traveling westbound was damaged by the falling concrete, but there were no reported injuries.

The Jasper Road overpass and all westbound lanes of the highway were closed while the crash was investigated. The westbound frontage road and intersecting cross streets were very congested for several hours while the crash was investigated and the overpass was inspected by TxDOT. Several minor crashes related to the congestion were reported.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety inspected the tractor trailer and excavator. The driver of the vehicle was cited for multiple violations including an over-weight and over-height load.

As of 5:00 p.m., the Jasper Road overpass has opened to traffic. The highway below will remain closed until at least 6:30 p.m. while temporary repairs to the overpass are made.

Cdr. Alex Gearhart

Public Affairs

Killeen Police Department

Effective immediately, Thursday’s hours of operation for the Killeen Animal Services Unit will change.  The new hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the Killeen Animal Services Unit at 254-526-4455.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate an Armed Robbery at a Cellular Store.

Officers responded to the T-Mobile Cellular Store located at 3207 E. Central Texas Expressway, on Monday, April 25, 2017, at 4:14 p.m., after receiving a 911 call about an Armed Robbery in progress.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they were confronted by the suspect as he was exiting the store.  The suspect immediately fled on foot with the officers in pursuit.  During the foot pursuit the suspect turned and fired at the three officers, who returned fire.  The suspect received a fatal gunshot wound during the exchange.  Justice of the Peace Claudia Brown pronounced the suspect deceased at 6:08 p.m.

The Killeen Police Department Criminal Investigation Division and Texas Rangers responded to the scene and an investigation is ongoing, being led by the Rangers.

Any further requests for information surrounding this incident can be directed to Sgt. David Roberts with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

April 19, 2017 – UPDATE

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Homicide Unit, have identified the victim from the Homicide in the 700 block of W. Ave C as 19 year-old Justin Lewis.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Killeen Police Investigate an overnight Homicide.

Officers were called to the 700 block of W. Ave C at 11:18 p.m., on Monday, April 17, 2017, after receiving a 911 call in reference to shots fired near a vacant lot. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a black male victim not breathing. Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced the male victim deceased at 12:34 a.m.; an autopsy is pending.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Homicide Unit, have not identified the male victim.  The victim is believed to be in his late teens or twenties.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this Homicide to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department has initiated a “Safe Exchange Zone” program.

It is the departments’ commitment to put the community’s safety first and the “Safe Exchange Zone” program is intended to provide a safe location to residents who purchase from on-line websites such as Craigslist, eBay and Facebook groups etc. and for families with custodial exchanges.

The “Safe Exchange Zone” area is located in the lobby of the Killeen Police Headquarters and is monitored with police presence.  We encourage residents to conduct business during daylight hours and to provide the Killeen Police Department Headquarters address of 3304 Community Blvd, Killeen 76542 for transaction arrangements.  We ask that you do not leave large/bulky items in the parking lot.

The City of Killeen or its employees are not responsible in any way for the value, authenticity, or legitimacy of such transactions.  City of Killeen employees will not act as official witnesses to transactions, do not give legal advice and will not settle civil disputes related to any transaction.  The police department is just providing a safe location to conduct your transactions.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate an overnight Homicide.

Officers were called to the 700 block of W. Ave C at 11:18 p.m., on Monday, April 17, 2017, after receiving a 911 call in reference to shots fired near a vacant lot. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a black male victim not breathing. Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced the male victim deceased at 12:34 a.m.; an autopsy is pending.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Homicide Unit, have not identified the male victim.  The victim is believed to be in his late teens or twenties.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this Homicide to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the app P3 tips on IOS and Android phones.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person responsible for this crime you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Through the investigation, officers with the Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit were able to identify the driver of the Hyundai Tiburon.  A complaint was returned charging 26 year-old Cassandra Marzella Ekis, of Killeen, with Fail to Stop and Render Aid – Accident Causing Death.  Justice of the Peace Claudia Brown issued a warrant for Ekis’ arrest and on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Ekis was apprehended by the Waco Police Department. Cassandra Marzella Ekis is currently in the Bell County Jail.

Killeen Police Department investigates a fatal motorcycle crash on Rancier.

Officers responded to a 911 call about a crash in the 1400 block of Rancier Avenue., which involved a Hyundai Tiburon and a Suzuki motorcycle on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 11:19 p.m.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon was traveling westbound in the inside lane on Rancier Avenue and a 2016 Suzuki motorcycle was traveling eastbound  in the outside lane on Rancier Avenue.  The driver of the Hyundai failed to yield right of way when the driver attempted to turn left onto Alexander Street causing the motorcycle to collide with the vehicle.  The driver of the Hyundai fled the scene on foot before the officers’ arrival.

The 48 year-old male motorcycle rider was transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights and subsequently transported to Baylor Scott & White where he succumbed to his injuries.  Justice of the Peace Donald Engleking pronounced 48 year-old Derrick Roy Evans of Killeen, deceased by at 2:20 a.m.

This crash continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department is asking the community’s assistance in identifying two Robbery suspects.

Killeen Police responded to the Oriental Cafe, located at 4102 Greenlee Drive, on Monday, April 10, 2017, at 9:02 p.m., after receiving a 911 call telling them two males had attempted to rob the restaurant.  Upon the officers’ arrival, they learned that two male suspects entered the restaurant, displayed a gun and demanded money from the employees.  The suspects fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspects are described as the following:

1^st Suspect is a black male, approximately 5’07”, wearing a knit hat, black long sleeve shirt, gray pants and white shoes, carrying a backpack.

2^nd Suspect is a black male, approximately 5’07”, with a bushy haircut, facial hair, wearing a black hooded shirt, black pants, and black shoes.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit, are asking anyone who has information about this Robbery or can identify the suspects in the surveillance video, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  You can also download the P3tips App for IOS and Android and give an anonymous tip.  All information is anonymous and confidential and if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate an evening fatal crash involving a pedestrian and a train.

Killeen Police responded to a 911 call on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 4:51 p.m., telling them that a male had just been hit by a train near W.S. Young Drive.  Upon the officers’ arrival they located a body on the tracks in between W.S. Young Drive and 38^th Street.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the train was traveling westbound near 38^th Street, when the conductor noticed a male standing on the tracks.  The conductor blew the horn several times, however, for some unknown reason, the male did not move and the train struck him.  Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced 21 year-old Devin Dewayne Newman of Killeen, deceased at 5:38 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensics Sciences of Dallas.

This case continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department