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Killeen Police Identify Homicide Victim

Killeen, TX (February 25, 2025): Detectives have identified the victim as Esther Gitau, an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Cavazos.

Further details are under investigation, and updates will be provided as they become available.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATING A HOMICIDE ON LAKECREST

Killeen, TX (February 22, 2025): On Friday, February 21, 2025, at approximately 7:16 p.m., Killeen Police officers responded to a welfare check at a residence located in the 3300 block of Lakecrest Drive.

Upon the officer’s arrival, they found a 37-year-old woman with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at 9:29 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Nicola James. Her name will be not released until next of kin is notified. Two children were located inside the residence, unaware of what occurred and are safe.

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant for the victim’s spouse, 42-year-old John Mwangi. The suspect was later located on Fort Cavazos. He is currently in the Killeen City Jail.

Detectives believe this was a domestic violence-related incident and there is no danger to the public.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division Robbery-Homicide Unit are actively investigating this incident and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Charge 34-Year-Old Male with Murder and Assault

Killeen, TX (February 21, 2025) UPDATE: Detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Unit investigated the case and presented their findings to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. As a result, two complaints were filed, leading to two arrest warrants issued by Justice of the Peace Nicola James – one for Murder and another for Aggravated Assault— charging 34-year-old Lemont Diante McKinney. At this time, McKinney was already in custody at the Bell County Jail on unrelated charges. Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman later arraigned him, setting a total bond of $1,200,000.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A HOMICIDE ON CUNNINGHAM
 
Killeen, TX (January 6, 2025): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division investigate the death of a 28-year-old female.
 
On Thursday, January 2, 2025, at approximately 1:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Best Western Plus located at 2709 Cunningham Road in reference to multiple 911 calls about shots fired.  Upon the officer’s arrival, they located an unconscious female and a male both suffering from gunshot wounds.  Officers immediately began life saving measures on both until paramedics arrived.  The 34-year-old male was immediately airlifted to Baylor Scott & White and was conscious and alert.  The female victim, Jazmien Rae’Lynn Hernandez, unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman at 3:05 p.m.
 
The preliminary investigation revealed that the 34-year-old male was engaged in a verbal altercation a 32-year-old male outside the hotel. During the exchange, both individuals fired shots, resulting in injuries to each other and the female.  Witnesses told officers that the 32-year-old male fled on foot south behind the hotel.  The 32-year-old male then fled on foot heading south, prompting officers to begin a search of the area.  Shortly after, officers were notified that a male had arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds.  Officers were able to verify that this was the male that had fled on foot.
 
Both males are currently in the hospital are listed in stable condition.
 
The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Identifies the 37-year-old Murder Victim

Killeen, TX (October 29, 2024): UPDATE- Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit have identified the victim as Anthony Glenn Powell.

Detectives are actively investigating this Murder, and no further information is available at this time.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE EIGHTEENTH MURDER OF 2024

Killeen, TX (October 17, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of an adult male.

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at approximately 10:40 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call in reference to a gunshot victim in the 800 block of W. Avenue D. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 37-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The male was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in critical condition.

The victim unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Larry Wilkey at 6:34 a.m. on October 17, 2024. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
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 the Eighteenth Murder of 2024

Killeen, TX (October 17, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of an adult male.

On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at approximately 10:40 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call in reference to a gunshot victim in the 800 block of W. Avenue D. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 37-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The male was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in critical condition.

The victim unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Larry Wilkey at 6:34 a.m. on October 17, 2024. He ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

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

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 the Seventeenth Murder of 2024

Killeen, TX (September 22, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of an adult male.

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., officers responded to a shots fired in the 2200 block of Wheeler Avenue. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 22-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds in the roadway. Officers began to perform lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 12:48 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

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

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 Charges 24-Year-Old Male with the Fourteenth Murder of 2024

Killeen, TX (September 14, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division identified a suspect and presented this case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for review. On Friday, September 13, 2024, a complaint was returned charging 24-Year-Old Dimani Phillip Gaddis with Murder. An arrest warrant was issued by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson.

Gaddis was previously arrested on other unrelated charges and is currently in the Bell County Jail. Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey arraigned Gaddis and set his bond at $1,250,000.

The Killeen Police Department would like to thank the Community for sharing videos and assisting with the identification of this suspect.

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Killeen, TX (August 26, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as 68-year-old Vivian Delois McClain.

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

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE FOURTEENTH MURDER IN THE CITY OF KILLEEN
Killeen, TX (August 25, 2024): On Sunday August 25, 2024, at approximately 4:33 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2300 block of Andover Drive in reference to a shots fired call. While in route, dispatchers informed them of an accident that occurred in the 1000 block of Westover Drive.

Upon the officers’ arrival they located an unconscious female victim inside a crashed vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James 5:04 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences.

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

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

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are asking anyone with videos or security footage of this area to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at (254) 501-8830.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Charge a 54-Year-Old Male with Murder

Killeen, TX (September 12, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division presented this case to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for review. On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, a complaint was returned charging William Charles Quick with Murder. Quick was arrested and booked into the Killeen City Jail. Associate Judge Randy Dale arraigned Quick and set his bond at $250,000.

This is the fifteenth Murder in the City of Killeen.

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit continue to investigate this Murder and there is no additional information at this time.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE CONDUCT A DEATH INVESTIGATION ON TAFT

Killeen, TX (September 10, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of a 53-year-old female.

On Monday, September 9, 2024, at approximately 11:23 p.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2700 block of Taft Street in reference to a welfare concern.

Upon the officers’ arrival they located a deceased female victim inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, Elizabeth Rosario Quick, was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James 12:47 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that this incident is determined to be domestic related.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Identifies Hallmark Murder Victim

Killeen, TX (August 27, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as 39-year-old William Donnell Spellman.

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

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE THIRTEENTH MURDER OF 2024

Killeen, TX (August 9, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of an adult male.

On Thursday, August 8, 2024, at approximately 10:57 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Hallmark Avenue in reference to reports of shots fired and a man down. Upon the officers’ arrival they located a deceased male with gunshot wounds in the parking lot.

The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 11:08 pm.

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

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.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Identifies Murder Victim on Andover

Killeen, TX (August 26, 2024): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified the victim as 68-year-old Vivian Delois McClain.

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

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE THE FOURTEENTH MURDER IN THE CITY OF KILLEEN
Killeen, TX (August 25, 2024): On Sunday August 25, 2024, at approximately 4:33 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2300 block of Andover Drive in reference to a shots fired call. While in route, dispatchers informed them of an accident that occurred in the 1000 block of Westover Drive.

Upon the officers’ arrival they located an unconscious female victim inside a crashed vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James 5:04 a.m. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences.

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

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

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are asking anyone with videos or security footage of this area to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at (254) 501-8830.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate the Fourteenth Murder in the City of Killeen

Killeen, TX (August 25, 2024): On Sunday August 25, 2024, at approximately 4:33 a.m., Killeen Police Officers responded to the 2300 block of Andover Drive in reference to a shots fired call. While in route, dispatchers informed them of an accident that occurred in the 1000 block of Westover Drive.

Upon the officers’ arrival they located an unconscious female victim inside a crashed vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Nicola James 5:04 a.m.  She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences.

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

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

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit are asking anyone with videos or security footage of this area to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at (254) 501-8830.
 
This investigation is active and there is no additional information at this time

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department