Killeen, TX (March 22, 2021): A 21-year-old male is deceased from an early morning crash

On Monday, March 22, 2021, at approximately 6:07 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Fort Hood Street and Westover Drive in reference to a major crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located one of the drivers pinned in his vehicle.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue Nissan Sentra was traveling southbound in the inside lane in the 1500 block of S. Fort Hood Street, when a white Ford F150 pickup traveling northbound in the inside lane, went into the southbound lanes, and collided with the Nissan. Both vehicles came to a rest in the grassy portion of the west side of Fort Hood Street. The driver of the Ford was transported to Baylor Scott and White in serious condition. The driver of the Nissan was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition.

The driver of the Nissan, Brandon Waterbury, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 8:17a.m., by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson.

This investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (March 21, 2021): One teenager is recovering from a gunshot wound and another is deceased after attending a hotel room party.

At approximately 12:50 a.m., officers with the Killeen Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a blue sedan for a possible impaired driver at the intersection of W.S. Young Drive and Elms Road. When the officers approached the vehicle, the driver who was the sole occupant, was deceased, suffering from a visible self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 17-year-old juvenile male driver was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:06 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

While officers were on scene, officers were notified about a gunshot victim at Seton Medical Center Harker Heights. The 18-year-old male victim told officers that he was attending a hotel room party with alcohol at the Shilo Inn, when one of the attendees was brandishing a handgun when it discharged, wounding his hand. The victim provided a description of the suspect and the handgun and it matched the description of the deceased driver in the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the two incidents were related.

The investigation to this incident is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (March 11, 2021): Officers will conduct an enhanced traffic enforcement from March 15-22, 2021.

Killeen Police would like to remind citizens with the warmer weather and the start of the Spring Break cycle for school districts and colleges, there will be more traffic on the roadways. Officers will be utilizing the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant to have additional traffic enforcement patrols out during this time to assist with ensuring traffic safety. Drivers should be aware of posted speed limits, recognize and abide by posted traffic control devices, wear your seatbelts, make sure your passengers and children are restrained and please be courteous to other traffic on the roadway. Please be mindful of these officers making traffic stops and remember to SLOW DOWN/ MOVE OVER. If you have been drinking, please have a designated driver and DON’T DRINK and DRIVE. Working together we can make sure that everyone has a safe and fun Spring Break.

Sec. 545.157. PASSING CERTAIN VEHICLES
(a) This section applies only to the following vehicles:
(1) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702;
(2) a stationary tow truck using equipment authorized by Section 547.305(d);
(3) a Texas Department of Transportation vehicle or a highway maintenance or construction vehicle operated pursuant to a contract awarded under Subchapter A, Chapter 223, not separated from the roadway by a traffic control channelizing device and using visual signals that comply with the standards and specifications adopted under Section 547.105;
(4) a service vehicle used by or for a utility, as defined by Section 203.091, and using visual signals that comply with the standards and specifications adopted under Section 547.105; and
(5) a stationary vehicle used exclusively to transport municipal solid waste, as defined by Section 361.003, Health and Safety Code, or recyclable material, as defined by Section 361.421, Health and Safety Code, while being operated in connection with the removal or transportation of municipal solid waste or recyclable material from a location adjacent to the highway.
(b) On approaching a vehicle described by Subsection (a), an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:
(1) vacate the lane closest to the vehicle when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the vehicle; or
(2) slow to a speed not to exceed:
(A) 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or
(B) five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour.
(c) A violation of this section is:
(1) a misdemeanor punishable under Section 542.401;
(2) a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 if the violation results in property damage; or
(3) a Class B misdemeanor if the violation results in bodily injury.
(d) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code or the Penal Code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or under both sections.
(e) In this section:
(1) “Tow truck” means a vehicle that:
(A) has been issued a permit under Subchapter C, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code; and
(B) is operated by a person licensed under Subchapter D, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code.
(2) “Traffic control channelizing device” means equipment used to warn and alert drivers of conditions created by work activities in or near the traveled way, to protect workers in a temporary traffic control zone, and to guide drivers and pedestrians safely. The term includes a traffic cone, tubular marker, vertical panel, drum, barricade, temporary raised island, concrete or cable barrier, guardrail, or channelizer.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (March 5, 2021): The suspect involved in the shooting incident at The Spot Bar & Restaurant is currently in the Bell County Jail.

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, around 2:18 a.m., officers with the Killeen Police Department were dispatched to “The Spot Bar & Restaurant” located at 10540 South Fort Hood Road., after receiving a 911 call about a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a male victim suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to Scott and White Hospital in critical but stable condition

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was standing near the rear patio area, when the suspect began shooting at him multiple times, causing him to sustain several gunshot wounds.

Witnesses reported the shooter was a black male about 6’1 to 6’2 feet tall and weighing approximately 190-210 lbs. They advised the male had a short cut hair style, goatee style beard, and wore a white long sleeve t-shirt with grey pants.

The incident was captured on surveillance video.

Through the investigation, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, received numerous anonymous tips about the identity of the shooter. The case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging 37-year-old Robert Theodore Jones with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Today, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the United States Marshals Service- Lone Star Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Jones in the 3000 block of Dannen Court. He was transported to the Bell County Jail.

The victim has since been released from the hospital.

The investigation to this incident is ongoing and additional charges are pending. At this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department