Archive by Author | KPDPIO

Killeen Police Identifies Shooting Victim

Killeen, TX (June 17, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as 53-year-old Nicole Isabell Gairey.

Detectives continue to investigate this shooting and there is no additional information at this time.

###

NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A LATE-NIGHT SHOOTING

Killeen, TX (June 13, 2024): On Thursday, June 13, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2800 block of Tucker Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, along with Killeen EMS, they located a female victim outside of a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim succumbed to her injuries and Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced the estimated time of death at 12:30 a.m. at the scene.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A 27-year-old male at the residence was placed under arrest and transported to the Killeen City Jail.

There is no threat to the community related to this incident.

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are actively investigating this Homicide and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Identify and Arrest Suspect in Fatal Hit and Run Crash

Killeen, TX (June 13, 2024): The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit has identified and arrested a 47-year-old male suspect in a fatal hit and run crash.

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, at approximately 2:31 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of E. Elms Road in reference to a crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, paramedics were on scene attending to a male lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim, Eric Rucker, succumbed to his injuries.

As a result of an extensive joint investigation with the Fort Cavazos Criminal Investigation Division, Traffic Investigators were able to identify the suspect in this case. The case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, and on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, a complaint was issued charging 47-year-old Kristopher Taylor Jr. with Collision Involving Death, a second-degree felony offense.

On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service-Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Taylor was located and arrested without incident in Bryan, TX. He was transported to the Brazos County Jail and is pending arraignment.

###

NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A HIT AND RUN FATALITY

Killeen, TX (June 11, 2023): The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit need the community’s assistance in a hit and run fatality.

On Sunday, June 11, 2023, at approximately 2:31 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of E. Elms Road in reference to a crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, paramedics were on scene attending to a male lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim, Eric Rucker, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 3:21 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

The preliminary investigation revealed that two motorcycle operators were traveling westbound on E. Elms Road when the victim dropped an item in the roadway. Both motorcyclists stopped and got off their motorcycles to retrieve the item. While the victim was trying to recover the dropped item, he was struck by a passing vehicle.
The suspect vehicle was described to be a smaller gray sedan and may have front end and windshield damage.
Traffic Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about this incident, 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.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate a Late Night Shooting

Killeen, TX (June 13, 2024): On Thursday, June 13, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2800 block of Tucker Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, along with Killeen EMS, they located a female victim outside of a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. 

The victim succumbed to her injuries and Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced the estimated time of death at 12:30 a.m. at the scene.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
 
A 27-year-old male at the residence was placed under arrest and transported to the Killeen City Jail.  
 
There is no threat to the community related to this incident. 
 
Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are actively investigating this Homicide and there is no additional information at this time. 

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate a Motorcycle Crash Fatality

Killeen, TX (June 9, 2024): Investigators with the Traffic Unit are investigating the death of a 29-year-old male.

On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at approximately 1:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of W Elms Road and Old FM 440 in reference to a vehicle crash with injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Impala was traveling northbound on Old FM 440. A Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling westbound on Elms Road, entered the intersection and struck the Chevrolet.

The operator of the motorcycle, Mr. Michael Lucas, was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Hospital in critical condition but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced the estimated time of death at 1:52 a.m. and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas.

Next of kin has been notified.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating and there is no further information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate a Single-Vehicle Crash

Killeen, TX (March 9, 2024): One male is currently listed in critical condition after a single-vehicle crash.

On Friday, March 8, 2024 at 9:42 p.m., Killeen Police officers were dispatched to a 911 call in reference to vehicle crash at the intersection of E. Central Texas Expressway and S. WS Young Drive. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a single vehicle on its driver side in a ditch.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a black 2021 Dodge SUV was traveling westbound on Central Texas Expressway at a high rate of speed and left the roadway near the southwest exit of the Killeen Mall. The vehicle continued traveling on the shoulder and through the drainage ditch, before entering the roadway on S. WS Young Drive. It crossed the roadway and flipped onto its side as it entered the drainage ditch on the northwest corner of S. WS Young and Central Texas Expressway.

The driver was pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extracted by the Killeen Fire Department. The driver was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in critical condition.

Investigators with the Traffic Unit continue to investigate this crash and there is no additional information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police are Investigating a Pedestrian Fatality

Killeen, TX (May 22, 2024): Investigators with the Killeen Police Traffic Unit are investigating a pedestrian fatality.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at approximately 2:42 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of E. Veterans Memorial Blvd in reference to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Deputies with the Bell County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4, were the first to arrive on scene when they located a female lying in the roadway. They immediately started to perform life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was attempting to cross northbound on Veterans Memorial Blvd., when a red Chevrolet pick-up truck traveling eastbound in the inside lane, struck the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported.

The 63-year-old victim succumbed to her injuries. Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced the estimated time of death at 4:00 p.m. at the scene.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Investigators with the Traffic Unit continue to investigate this fatality and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate a Fatality on State Highway 195

On Friday, May 10, 2024, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Officers with the Killeen Police Department were dispatched to the 12300 block of State Highway 195, in reference to a traffic accident. Upon the officers arrival, they located a semi-truck with trailer and a black Nissan sedan in the intersection.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the semi-truck with trailer was stationary at the yield sign facing westbound in the intersection between the northbound and southbound lanes preparing to turn left on State Highway 195 with its trailer blocking the northbound turn-lane and inside lanes. When a black Nissan four-door sedan traveling northbound in the inside lane, struck the back-left of the trailer.

The driver of the black Nissan four-door was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi truck did not report any injuries.
 
The driver of the black Nissan, 30-year-old Karelys Almeda Sola, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at 6:49 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson. 

Next of kin was notified.

The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating and there is no further information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Organized Crime Unit Arrest Two and Seize Narcotics

Killeen, TX (May 9, 2024): On May 8, 2024, detectives with the KPD Organized Crime Unit received information about illegal narcotics being transported from Houston, TX to the Killeen area. Detectives conducted surveillance and observed the suspect vehicle as it traveled through Temple, TX.

With assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a traffic stop was conducted on the suspect vehicle in the 2000 block of Airport Rd. in Temple. During the traffic stop, K9 Kenzi was deployed and performed an open-air sniff of the vehicle. K9 Kenzi alerted to the presence of drugs and a search of the vehicle resulted in 11 pounds of Methamphetamine. The driver and passenger were arrested and 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 Investigate a Train-Pedestrian Fatality

Killeen, TX (May 2, 2024): Killeen Police are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a train.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at approximately 7:24 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of 8th Street in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a BSNF train at the railroad crossing. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a deceased female on the tracks.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the train was traveling approximately 25 mph eastbound near the 8th Street railroad crossing when the conductor noticed a person on tracks. The conductor sounded the train’s horn and applied the emergency brakes; however, the individual did not move, and the train struck the victim.

Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced the victim, 58-year-old Christine Gerlinde Rottmann, deceased at 8:25 p.m. and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensics Sciences of Dallas.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no other information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Organized Crime Unit Seize Narcotics at a Local Lounge

Killeen, TX (April 24, 2024): On April 20, 2024, detectives with the Special Investigation Division, conducted a special detail at the LQ Lounge located at 810 N. WS Young Drive due to a citizen’s complaint about an event at this establishment. During the operation, officers arrested one person for Possession of Controlled Substance.

A narcotics search warrant was executed, and detectives seized 26 grams of Marijuana (leaf), 6 grams of THC Wax Substance, 6.55 lbs. of THC liquid, 786 grams of unknown purple substance, vape pen, two cell phones and Drug Paraphernalia.

Public Service Announcement – We would like to remind parents to educate their young teens on the dangers of using vapes and be alert on these types of ads and/or events (see below) shared on social media.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department