Killeen Police Investigate a Homicide on Morning Star Lane
Killeen, TX (August 21, 2025) UPDATE: Detectives with the Killeen Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Unit, announce the arrest of 16 year-old murder suspect in this case.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, the offender was found hiding in Chicago, Illinois and arrested for the outstanding court order charging him with the murder of Kaizen Amere Simmons. He has been extradited back to Texas and is awaiting trial.
The Killeen Police Department would like to thank the United States Marshals Service – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, as well as the United States Marshals Service in Chicago, for their assistance in this apprehension.
The name of the juvenile suspect will not be released and no further information is available at this time.
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Killeen, TX (April 29, 2025): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating the death of a 21-year-old male following a shooting incident.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at approximately 1:26 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 5000 block of Morning Star Lane in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Killeen Fire Department EMS responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The victim, Kaizen Amere Simmons, was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect was in his vehicle and was meeting someone in the street when the shooting occurred.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating. Detectives are asking residents in the area to review their surveillance cameras for any individuals walking in the vicinity around the time of the shooting. A QR Code is provided to submit any evidence in this case or contact the police department at 254-501-8800.
Detectives are asking if anyone has information about this incident, to contact the Bell County 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.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Charge a 27-Year-Old Male with Murder
Killeen, TX (April 21, 2025): On April 18, 2025, detectives with the Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division presented this case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. A complaint was returned charging Jermaine Justin Attaway, 27, with Murder. Justice of the Peace Nicola James arraigned Attaway and ordered that no bond be set. He is currently in the Bell County Jail.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was attending a gathering at a residence when the suspect arrived and attempted to force entry by kicking the front door. As the victim, 47-year-old Salathiel Andre Witherspoon Jr., held the door from inside to prevent entry, the suspect discharged a firearm, striking the victim.
Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced Witherspoon deceased at 8:20 p.m.
No further information is available at this time.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A HOMICIDE ON GRAY STREET
Killeen, TX (April 17, 2025): Killeen Police are actively investigating the death of a 47-year-old male.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at approximately 7:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Gray Street in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Killeen Fire Department EMS responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced deceased by medical staff.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
One person has been detained in connection to this case. This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating.
No further information is available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate a Homicide on Gray Street
Killeen, TX (April 17, 2025): Killeen Police are actively investigating the death of a 47-year-old male.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at approximately 7:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Gray Street in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Killeen Fire Department EMS responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced deceased by medical staff.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
One person has been detained in connection to this case. This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating.
No further information is available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Suspect Charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant
UPDATE NEWS RELEASE: Killeen, TX (April 17, 2025): On April 11, 2025, this case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for review. Three complaints were returned charging Nathan Andrew Dodge with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant. Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman issued a warrant for Dodge’s arrest.
On April 16, 2025, Dodge was released from the hospital, at which time the warrants were served. He was then transported to the Bell County Jail, where Associate District Judge Randy Dale arraigned him and set his bond at $1,500,000.00.
The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATES AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN THE 2600 BLOCK OF LARISSA DRIVE
Killeen, TX (April 10, 2025): On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Killeen Police Department assisted the United States Secret Service (USSS) with a consensual interview involving a 24-year-old male.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., three Killeen Police officers and two USSS agents arrived at a residence in the 2600 block of Larissa Drive. An occupant allowed them inside, where the subject of the interview emerged from a room. For officer safety, a pat-down was conducted, during which officers felt a semi-automatic pistol in the male’s front pocket. A struggle ensued, and two Killeen officers discharged their duty weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.
Officers and USSS agents immediately rendered aid until paramedics arrived. The suspect was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White in critical condition.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is conducting the investigation into the shooting. The Killeen Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit will handle the administrative review. The Bell County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting.
There is no further information available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Recover Stolen Vehicle and Arrest One Juvenile
Killeen, TX (April 16, 2025): On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at approximately 11:22 a.m., Killeen Police Officers located a Chevy Suburban that was reported stolen to our department earlier this morning, in the parking lot of the Killeen Mall. When the driver observed the marked patrol unit, the vehicle began to leave the area. The officers attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, but the driver refused and evaded through a nearby neighborhood, and eventually entered the property of Manor Middle School.
Upon entering the school property, the vehicle crashed into a fence and a series of drainage ditches. The vehicle came to a stop and the sole occupant, a 16-year-old male, fled on foot. Officers quickly pursued and safely took the juvenile into custody in the school’s parking lot. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained in the crash. He was later released and transported to juvenile detention.
The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this incident and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Conduct a Death Investigation after a Single-Vehicle Crash
Killeen, TX (April 12, 2025): On Friday, April 11, 2025, at approximately 4:38 p.m., Killeen Police officers were dispatched to the 900 block of E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard in reference to a single-vehicle crash.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue SUV was traveling eastbound on Veterans Memorial Boulevard when the driver, a 70-year-old female, began experiencing a medical emergency. The vehicle crossed over the westbound lanes, left the roadway, and ultimately rolled into South Nolan Creek.
A bystander nearby immediately attempted to render aid, working to keep the driver’s head above water until emergency responders arrived. The Killeen Fire Department EMS transported the driver to Advent Health, where she later succumbed to her medical condition. Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced Kyong Cha Ganaha deceased at 5:18 p.m.
The Killeen Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded to the scene and will conduct the investigation.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigates an Officer Involved Shooting on Larissa Drive
Killeen, TX (April 10, 2025): On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Killeen Police Department assisted the United States Secret Service (USSS) with a consensual interview involving a 24-year-old male.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., three Killeen Police officers and two USSS agents arrived at a residence in the 2600 block of Larissa Drive. An occupant allowed them inside, where the subject of the interview emerged from a room. For officer safety, a pat-down was conducted, during which officers felt a semi-automatic pistol in the male’s front pocket. A struggle ensued, and two Killeen officers discharged their duty weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.
Officers and USSS agents immediately rendered aid until paramedics arrived. The suspect was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White in critical condition.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is conducting the investigation into the shooting. The Killeen Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit will handle the administrative review. The Bell County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting.
There is no further information available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
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