Killeen, TX (August 8, 2021): Killeen Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality on Interstate 14.

On Saturday, August 7, 2021, at approximately 5:59 a.m., officers were dispatched to the westbound lanes on I-14 in reference to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located an unconscious male lying in the roadway.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue Ford F150 was traveling westbound in the outside lane on I-14 near mile mark 287. When the pedestrian attempted to cross the highway and he was struck by the pickup truck.

The male pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke at 6:44 a.m.

Next of kin pending notification.

The Traffic Unit continues to investigate this fatality and there is no other information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (August 5, 2021): Killeen Police Department joins cities nationwide for ‘America’s night out against crime.

On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, neighborhoods throughout Killeen are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 5^th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Killeen and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.  Neighborhoods are encouraged to host a variety of events such as block parties, cookouts, contests, and youth activities.  Call or email to register your neighborhood so they will get a visit from the police department, fire department and McGruff the Crime Dog.

“The National Night Out program is an outstanding campaign to help build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships.  On October 5^th, we invite citizens of Killeen and neighborhoods nationwide to join forces with us to give crime and drugs a going away party.  It’s also a chance to have a really good time!” stated Chief Charles Kimble. 

If you would like to register your neighborhood or find out more information, please contact Ofelia Miramontez at (254) 501-8807 or by email at omiramontez@killeentexas.gov. 

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (August 3, 2021): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division continue to investigate the eighth Murder in the City of Killeen.

Through the investigation, it revealed that the shooting incident occurred in the back/rear parking area at the Naked City Club located at 4300 South Fort Hood Street. Multiple shell casings were recovered from the crime at this location.

One of the individuals that were detained has been released pending further investigation. The second individual has been charged with Deadly Conduct, Class A misdemeanor.

This Murder investigation is ongoing and detectives ask that if anyone has any additional information, videos and/or photos that could help their investigation, are asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at (254) 501-8860 or you can submit it anonymously to the Bell County Crime Stoppers at (254) 526-8477 or online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.

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

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Killeen, TX (July 30, 2021): Killeen Police are actively working a shooting investigation.

On Saturday, July 31, 2021, at approximately 2:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of S. Fort Hood Street in reference to a shots fired call. Upon the officers, they located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound at the intersection of Fort Hood Street and Elms Road. The shooting victim, a male, was immediately transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition.

The victim, 36-year-old Deon Dewayne Elliot, succumbed to his injuries and Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced him deceased at 3:49 a.m.

Through the investigation, it revealed that another male was also shot, and he transported himself to Advent Health with non-life-threatening injuries. The male victim has since been released.

A suspect vehicle leaving the scene was stopped by Patrol Officer, and two people were placed under arrest. Officers did locate several firearms inside the suspect vehicle.

The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything, has any videos or any information about this shooting, 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.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 30, 2021): Killeen Police are actively working a shooting investigation.

On Saturday, July 31, 2021, at approximately 2:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of S. Fort Hood Street in reference to a shots fired call. Upon the officers, they located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound at the intersection of Fort Hood Street and Elms Road. The shooting victim, a male, was immediately transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition.

The victim, 36-year-old Deon Dewayne Elliot, succumbed to his injuries and Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced him deceased at 3:49 a.m.

Through the investigation, it revealed that another male was also shot, and he transported himself to Advent Health with non-life threatening injuries. The male victim has since been released.

A suspect vehicle leaving the scene was stopped by Patrol Officer, and two people were placed under arrest. Officers did locate several firearms inside the suspect vehicle.

The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything, has any videos or any information about this shooting, 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.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 30, 2021): A Killeen Police Officer is in custody for a felony charge.

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Killeen Police were notified of a domestic disturbance that had occurred that evening involving a Killeen Police Officer while off-duty. Through the investigation, it revealed that a 5-year-child was recklessly injured during the domestic.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Victims Unit, presented the case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, and on Friday, July 30, 2021, a complaint was returned charging 29-year-old Laura Smith with Injury to a Child under 17.

On July 30, 2021, Smith was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson and set her bond at $50,000.

Smith has been with the Department since September 2018 and is currently on administrative leave with pay while an Internal Affairs investigation is completed.

The Killeen Police Department is a Civil Service Agency that must follow the local Civil Service Rules that outlines the due process procedures for allegations of misconduct. This process includes the affected employee’s pay status.

Chief Kimble stated “We hold the officers of the Killeen Police Department to the highest standards, both on and off duty, and this incident will be fully investigated to ensure accountability. The Criminal Investigation will be handled in accordance to Texas laws in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office. The Police Department has initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to follow the due process procedure set forth by Civil Service Rules.”

At this time, no further information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

UPDATE – Killeen, TX (July 19, 2021): On Friday, July 16, 2021, Officer Miguel Velasco-Herrera submitted his resignation from the Killeen Police Department in lieu of completing the Internal Affairs investigation.

Chief Kimble stated “Miguel Velasco-Herrera’s actions violated the trust and faith placed in him by the community and this department. These allegations against Mr. Velasco-Herrera do not represent the values and ethics of the Killeen Police Department. His conduct is inexcusable and will not be tolerated.”

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NEWS RELEASE: A KILLEEN POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ON FELONY CHARGE

Killeen, TX (July 15, 2021): A Killeen Police Officer is currently on bond for a felony charge.

On July 5, 2021, Killeen Police were notified of a possible Sexual Assault that had occurred early that morning involving a Killeen Police Officer. Upon receiving this information, the officer was placed on administrative leave and criminal and internal investigations were immediately initiated.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Victims Unit, determined that there was sufficient evidence to support probable cause for criminal charges. This case was reviewed on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging Miguel Velasco-Herrera with Sexual Assault of a Child under 17.

On July 15, 2021, Velasco-Herrera turned himself in and was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson. He set his bond at $100,000.

Miguel Velasco-Herrera, a seven-year veteran, is currently on administrative leave with pay.

The Internal Affairs investigation continues to be conducted and there is no further information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 15, 2021): A Killeen Police Officer is currently on bond for a felony charge.

On July 5, 2021, Killeen Police were notified of a possible Sexual Assault that had occurred early that morning involving a Killeen Police Officer. Upon receiving this information, the officer was placed on administrative leave and criminal and internal investigations were immediately initiated.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Victims Unit, determined that there was sufficient evidence to support probable cause for criminal charges. This case was reviewed on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging Miguel Velasco-Herrera with Sexual Assault of a Child under 17.

On July 15, 2021, Velasco-Herrera turned himself in and was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson. He set his bond at $100,000.

Miguel Velasco-Herrera, a seven-year veteran, is currently on administrative leave with pay.

The Internal Affairs investigation continues to be conducted and there is no further information at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 9, 2021): The victim in this crash fatality has been identified as Victor Alexander Demarest.

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

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A CRASH FATALITY ON ELMS

Killeen, TX (July 7, 2021): A 41-year-old male is deceased from a multiple-car crash.

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a patrol officer was traveling westbound on Elms Road when he observed a blue Dodge Charger traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The officer turned around to conduct a traffic stop, however lost sight of the vehicle on W.S. Young and Stan Schlueter Loop. A second patrol officer observed the Charger at the intersection of Stan Schlueter Loop and Trimmier Road traveling northbound on Trimmier Road. The suspect vehicle stopped at the red light at Trimmier and Elms and then the suspect driver ran the red light cutting through traffic and sped off westbound on Elms Road.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a silver Chevy Equinox was exiting a private drive on Elms Road when the Charger traveling westbound on Elms Road collided into the driver side of the Equinox. The impact caused the Equinox to collide into a black Chevy Silverado pickup that was traveling eastbound in the outside lane of Elms Road. Officers arrived shortly thereafter and immediately started to perform life saving measures on the driver of the Equinox until paramedics arrived. He was immediately transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights in critical condition.

The two occupants in the Charger and the driver of the Silverado were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim of the Equinox succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 11:05 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke.

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

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 7, 2021): A 41-year-old male is deceased from a multiple-car crash.

On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a patrol officer was traveling westbound on Elms Road when he observed a blue Dodge Charger traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The officer turned around to conduct a traffic stop, however lost sight of the vehicle on W.S. Young and Stan Schlueter Loop. A second patrol officer observed the Charger at the intersection of Stan Schlueter Loop and Trimmier Road traveling northbound on Trimmier Road. The suspect vehicle stopped at the red light at Trimmier and Elms and then the suspect driver ran the red light cutting through traffic and sped off westbound on Elms Road.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a silver Chevy Equinox was exiting a private drive on Elms Road when the Charger traveling westbound on Elms Road collided into the driver side of the Equinox. The impact caused the Equinox to collide into a black Chevy Silverado pickup that was traveling eastbound in the outside lane of Elms Road. Officers arrived shortly thereafter and immediately started to perform life saving measures on the driver of the Equinox until paramedics arrived. He was immediately transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights in critical condition.

The two occupants in the Charger and the driver of the Silverado were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim of the Equinox succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 11:05 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke.

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

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department