Killeen Police Identify and Arrest Murder Suspect
Killeen, TX (February 11, 2026) UPDATE: Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit have identified a suspect in the murder of Brandon Richards.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, detectives presented the case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. As a result, two criminal complaints were filed. Natalia Lamontiara Trader, 22, was charged with Murder and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence.
Trader was arraigned by Bell County Magistrate Anthony Woolstrum, who set bond at $1,000,000 for the Murder charge and $50,000 for the Tampering charge. She is currently awaiting transport to the Bell County Jail.
Detectives continue to actively investigate this case. No additional information is available at this time.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATING THE MURDER OF A 22-YEAR-OLD MALE
Killeen, TX (February 10, 2026): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old male.
On Monday, February 9, 2026, at approximately 7:42 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of Cunningham Road in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers located a male on the front porch of an apartment suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center in critical condition.
The victim, Brandon Richards, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson at 8:26 p.m.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the 9-1-1 caller reported the victim had been shot and that the suspect fled the area.
Anyone with information related to this murder is urged to contact Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating this case. No additional information is available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigating the Murder of a 22-Year-Old Male
Killeen, TX (February 9, 2026): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old male.
On Monday, February 9, 2026, at approximately 7:42 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of Cunningham Road in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers located a male on the front porch of an apartment suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center in critical condition.
The victim, Brandon Richards, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson at 8:26 p.m.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the 9-1-1 caller reported the victim had been shot and that the suspect fled the area.
Anyone with information related to this murder is urged to contact the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.
The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating this case. No additional information is available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate a Single-Vehicle Fatality on Roy Reynolds
Killeen, TX (January 28, 2026): Investigators with the Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash on Roy Reynolds Drive.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at approximately 5:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of N. Roy Reynolds Drive in reference to a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a utility pole.
The preliminary investigation indicates a silver Volvo SUV was traveling southbound in the 500 block of Roy Reynolds Drive when it accelerated suddenly and left the roadway. The vehicle struck a utility pole, severing a portion of the pole, then rolled over and came to rest.
The male driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson at 5:50 a.m. An autopsy has been ordered and will be conducted at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Traffic investigators expect a prolonged closure of Roy Reynolds Drive while the investigation and clean-up operations are completed.
The Killeen Police Department’s Traffic Unit continues to investigate this fatality, and no further details are available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate a Fatality Crash on Stan Schlueter Loop
Killeen, TX (January 10, 2026): Killeen Police are actively investigating the death of a 34-year-old male from a vehicle collision.
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, at approximately 8:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to a major vehicle crash at the intersection of Stan Schlueter Loop and Central Texas Expressway.
The preliminary investigation shows that a white Ram 3500 truck and another pickup truck were traveling north on Stan Schlueter Loop near Central Texas Expressway. Witnesses said the two trucks appeared to race away from a traffic light.
As they went through the intersection, the Ram struck a black Jeep SUV that was traveling west on the expressway. The Ram then spun sideways and hit a blue Chevrolet pickup that was stopped at the light in the southbound left-turn lane. The Ram subsequently hit a red Honda sedan that was stopped in the southbound inside lane. The Ram then tipped onto its passenger side and came to rest against the driver’s side of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet was pushed backward and hit a black Toyota sedan.
The Toyota and the Jeep also hit each other and both came to rest along the northbound curb-line of Stan Schlueter Loop.
Unfortunately, the driver of the Jeep succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Nicola James. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas. His name has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The male driver of the Ram was transported by ambulance and the female driver of the Chevrolet was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White Hospital. The other drivers reported no injuries.
The unknown pickup that was traveling along side the Ram continued northbound. That vehicle is described as a late model, possibly General Motors pick-up, black or dark in color.
The roadway was closed the majority of the day due to a large amount of oil and fuel spilled that required a clean up crew from the City of Killeen after the vehicles were removed from the scene.
If anyone has any information about this fatality, call the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477).
The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continue to investigate this fatality and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Charge 18-Year-Old in Fatal Monte Carlo Shooting
Killeen, TX (January 2, 2026): UPDATE – Detectives with the Killeen Police Department Robbery-Homicide Unit have identified a suspect in the murder of 22-year-old Tai’Lynn Akaya Wright.
Following the investigation, the case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, and two criminal complaints were issued against Jada Raquelle Levy, 18. Levy has been charged with Aggravated Assault and Murder. Bell County Associate District Judge Susan Criss issued an arrest warrant for her.
On December 31, 2025, Levy was located and arrested by the Killeen Police Department. She was arraigned by Judge Criss and received a total bond of $300,000. She is currently being held in the Bell County Jail.
This investigation remains ongoing, and there is no further information available at this time.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE FATAL SHOOTING ON MONTE CARLO LANE
Killeen, TX (November 26, 2025): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating the death of a 22-year-old female following a shooting incident.
On November 26, 2025, at approximately 2:02 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Monte Carlo Lane in reference to two shooting victims suffering with gunshot wounds. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located an unconscious female and a conscious male inside the residence. Killeen Fire EMS arrived and provided life-saving measures to both victims.
The 26-year-old male victim was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple with non-life-threatening injuries. He has been treated and released.
The female victim, Tai’Lynn Akaya Wright was pronounced deceased at 2:47 a.m. by Justice of the Nicola James at the scene, who ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were inside their residence when an unknown person fired a weapon from outside toward the residence.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division continue to actively investigate this case. This appears to be an isolated incident.
There is no further information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate Motorcycle Crash on Interstate 14
Killeen, TX (December 10, 2025): A 41-year-old male motorcyclist is in critical but stable condition following a crash involving a vehicle.
On December 9, 2025, at approximately 2:01 p.m., officers were dispatched to Interstate 14 regarding a crash involving a motorcycle. Upon arrival, officers located the motorcycle operator lying in the roadway. He was immediately airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in critical but stable condition.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a Suzuki motorcycle and a Ford Mustang were both traveling eastbound on I-14 at high rates of speed. Witnesses reported the motorcycle was weaving in and out of traffic and passing vehicles between lanes. At the time of the crash, the Mustang was moving into the inside lane from the center lane after passing another vehicle. The motorcycle was reportedly passing the same uninvolved vehicle between the lanes when the two involved vehicles sideswiped one another, causing the motorcycle to lose control and crash.
No injuries were reported from the Mustang.
All eastbound lanes of Interstate 14 were closed for approximately two hours.
The Killeen Police Department Traffic Unit continues to investigate this crash. No further information is available at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate Fatal Shooting on Monte Carlo Lane
Killeen, TX (November 26, 2025): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating the death of a 22-year-old female following a shooting incident.
On November 26, 2025, at approximately 2:02 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Monte Carlo Lane in reference to two shooting victims suffering with gunshot wounds. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located an unconscious female and a conscious male inside the residence. Killeen Fire EMS arrived and provided life-saving measures to both victims.
The 26-year-old male victim was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple with non-life-threatening injuries. He has been treated and released.
The female victim, Tai’Lynn Akaya Wright was pronounced deceased at 2:47 a.m. by Justice of the Nicola James at the scene, who ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were inside their residence when an unknown person fired a weapon from outside toward the residence.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division continue to actively investigate this case. This appears to be an isolated incident.
There is no further information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Joins in National Night Out 2025
Killeen, TX (October 2, 2025): The Killeen Police Department will join cities nationwide in celebrating America’s Night Out Against Crime.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, neighborhoods throughout Killeen are invited to join thousands of communities across the country for the National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.
National Night Out is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
This year, we are excited to announce that Killeen will host 25 neighborhood block parties across the city—showcasing the strong partnerships between our residents and first responders. See the attached list and map below for all participating locations.
From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on October 7, residents in Killeen—and across the nation—are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outdoors with neighbors and police.
Neighborhoods are encouraged to host activities such as block parties, cookouts, contests, and youth programs. Neighborhoods that register may receive visits from the Killeen Police Department, Killeen 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 7th, we invite citizens of Killeen to join forces with us—and with neighborhoods nationwide—to give crime and drugs a going-away party,” said Chief Pedro Lopez.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Officer Arrested for Assault with Bodily Injury
Killeen, TX (July 30, 2025): The Killeen Police Department received notification that a Killeen Police Officer turned himself in to the Bell County Jail on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, for an outstanding warrant for Assault with Bodily Injury – Family Member. The arrest was a result of an off-duty incident investigated by the Temple Police Department.
The Killeen Police Department has opened an Internal Affairs investigation, and the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome. As a Civil Service agency, the Department is required to follow the local Civil Service Rules, which outline due process procedures for handling misconduct allegations, including those related to an employee’s pay status during the investigation.
No other information will be released at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Man Arraigned on Animal Cruelty Charge
Killeen, TX (July 7, 2025): On Monday, July 7, 2025, the case involving 45-year-old Jeffrey Yuzon Ignacio, the suspect in the case involving the injured rescued dog known as“Dubz”, now Cyrus, was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. A felony complaint was filed charging Ignacio with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals. He was arraigned by Judge Cliff Coleman, who set bond at $100,000 for the charge.
Ignacio was also arraigned on the following outstanding charges:
• Evading Arrest – Bond set at $5,000
• Harassment (Repeated Telephone/Electronic Communication) – Bond set at $5,000
• Driving While License Invalid – Bond set at $3,000
Ignacio is currently awaiting transport to the Bell County Jail.
The Killeen Police Department would like to recognize Killeen Animal Services, our Patrol Division, and our Special Investigations Division for their tireless efforts in this case, and thank the community for its continued concern, support, and assistance throughout the investigation.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
KilleenPD News 