Archive | January 2024

Killeen Police and Texas Rangers Investigate an Officer Involved Shooting on Harbour Avenue

Killeen, TX (January 31, 2024): On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at approximately 9:58 a.m. officers conducted a traffic stop on a maroon sedan, occupied by four, for a traffic violation at the intersection of Atkinson Avenue and 12th Street.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the officers were conducting their investigation when the driver fled on foot. A foot chase ensued by two officers and a K9 officer. The suspect ran east on Atkinson Avenue, then north on 14th Street and then east on Harbour Avenue, when he pulled out a weapon, the K9 officer discharged their duty weapon. Striking the suspect in the upper right thigh. The officers immediately started to render aid until paramedics arrived. He was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The three occupants of the vehicle were arrested for outstanding warrants. They were transported to the Killeen City Jail.

The K9 officer, a 6-year veteran, has been placed on administrative leave as per protocol.

The Texas Rangers responded to the scene and are the lead investigating agency. The Killeen Police Department Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an internal investigation.

Any further requests for information surrounding the officer involved shooting incident can be directed to Sgt. Bryan Washko with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

This investigation is active and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Organized Crime Unit Arrest Multiple Persons and Seize Narcotics

Killeen, TX (January 29, 2024): On Friday, January 26, 2024, detectives with the Organized Crime Unit with the assistance of VCAT (Violent Crime Action Team), Patrol Officers and a K9 Officer, conducted a special detail in the Cantabrian area.

After numerous complaints about crime and narcotics in the Cantabrian area, detectives and officers conducted several traffic stops after probable cause was established. Numerous arrests were made, and narcotics were seized. Approximately forty (40) traffic stops were conducted, seven arrests were made, seven arrest warrants were served (4 felonies and 3 misdemeanors) during the 4-hour detail. Two firearms were located, 13 grams of Methamphetamine, 70 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 7.9 grams of marijuana, and 1.7 grams of fentanyl.

The arrested individuals were transported to the Killeen City Jail.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police make an arrest in a 2022 Murder Case

Killeen, TX (January 26, 2024): A 38-year-old male is currently in jail for the Murder of Joe Sidney Williams.

On June 24, 2022, Officers were dispatched at approximately 2:50 a.m. to the 1800 block of N. 4th Street in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located 55-year-old Joe Sidney Williams suffering from a gunshot wound, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

On January 19, 2024, Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division Robbery-Homicide Unit received a complaint for Murder charging Demetris Tyrone Prier, to which Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson issued an arrest warrant for. Prier was located in the Bell County Jail on unrelated charges. Justice of the Peace Keith Reed arraigned Prier and set his bond at $500,000.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE FIFTEENTH MURDER FOR 2022

Killeen, TX (October 6, 2022): Killeen Police are actively investigating the Murder of a 55-year-old male.
On June 24, 2022, Officers with the Killeen Police Department were dispatched at approximately 2:50 a.m. to the 1800 block of N. 4th Street in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located one victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers immediately started to perform life saving measures until paramedics arrived. He was transported to Baylor Scott and White in Temple.

The victim, Joe Sidney Williams Junior succumbed to his injuries on August 3, 2022, and was pronounced deceased at the hospital by Justice of the Peace Theodore Duffield. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit received the final autopsy, and it was determined that the death of the victim was ruled Murder.

The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this Murder, to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. You can also download the P3Tips App for IOS or Android and give an anonymous tip. All information is confidential and anonymous, and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Detectives are actively investigating this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police and Texas Rangers Investigate an Officer Involved Shooting on Kings Court

Killeen, TX (January 16, 2024): On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at approximately 1:05 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area the 100 block of Elms Road in reference to an armed subject. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in a disturbance and fled on foot towards Florence Road. Prior to the officer’s arrival, the call was upgraded to shots fired. Upon their arrival, the officers located the suspect and engaged him, which resulted in the officers discharging their firearms, striking the suspect. He was transported by ambulance to Baylor Scott & White and is listed in stable condition.

The officers, both 12 -year veterans, were placed on administrative leave as per protocol.

The Texas Rangers responded to the scene and are the lead investigating agency. The Killeen Police Department Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an internal investigation.

Any further requests for information surrounding the officer involved shooting incident can be directed to Sgt. Bryan Washko with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

This investigation is active and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate a Late Night Crash

Killeen, TX (January 6, 2024): One male is in custody after leaving the scene of a crash.

On January 5, 2024 at approximately 10:57 p.m. a red Dodge SUV struck a marked Killeen Police patrol vehicle at the intersection of N. 10th Street and Santa Fe Drive. The driver of the SUV failed to stop and render aid and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The KPD unit did not pursue the suspect vehicle due to damage from the crash. The officer was not seriously injured.

At approximately 11:03 p.m., a second patrol officer traveling northbound on WS Young Drive, observed the red Dodge SUV traveling southbound on WS Young Drive approaching Central Texas Expressway at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle entered the intersection and struck a silver Honda sedan that was traveling northbound on WS Young Drive attempting to turn westbound onto Central Texas Expressway.

The Honda had 2 occupants, who were transported by ambulance to Baylor Scott and White Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Dodge was arrested at the scene, and taken to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights for treatment of minor injuries, and then subsequently transported to the Killeen City Jail. 

The 27-year-old driver of the red Dodge SUV was charged with the Driving while Intoxicated, Duty to Give Information and Render Aid and Reckless Driving. He is currently in the Bell County Jail.

The intersection at Central Texas Expressway and WS Young Drive was closed for several hours as Traffic Investigators conducted their investigation.

The Traffic Unit continues to investigate this crash and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department