Killeen, TX (June 13, 2023): The Killeen Police Department received notification that a Killeen Police Officer was arrested by the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The arrest was a result of an off-duty incident investigated by the Copperas Cove Police Department.

The Killeen Police Department has initiated an Internal Affairs investigation and the police officer has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

No other information will be released at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

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 sceneattending 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 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, TX (June 10, 2023): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of two males. 

Killeen Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Gaynor Drive at 11:31 a.m., on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in reference to two shooting victims. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a 29 year-old male and a 19 year-old male deceased inside a vehicle on the roadway. Both males appeared to have at least one gunshot wound.

Justice of the Peace Nicola James pronounced both males deceased and ordered autopsies to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community. 

The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has any information about this incident to call the department at (254) 501-8830 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at (264) 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 at this time no other information will be released.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (May 23, 2023):  Members of the Killeen Police Department Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, worked a special detail, Operation Save Our Youth, targeting online predators.  Detectives posed as underage teens on various social media platforms and were contacted by the suspects.

The goal of the operation was to decrease the number of cases received for minors being exploited and victimized by adults while using internet applications. The department took a proactive approach to prevent any more juveniles from being victims of sexual assault or potentially being a victim of human trafficking.

The four men, 32-year-old John Alexander Caruth of Killeen, 22-year-old Stephan McArthur Wilson of Fort Cavazos, 23-year-old Nirajan Oli of California and 52- year-old Allen Julius Sistrunk Jr. of Harker Heights, were charged with solicitation of a minor. 

The Killeen Police Department would like to remind parents to be cautious of these social media apps and monitor their children’s online activity.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (May 23, 2023): A 49-year-old male is currently awaiting extradition to Bell County after being arrested for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

On February 9, 2023, it was reported to the Killeen Police Department that a former teacher allegedly engaged inappropriate conduct with a student at Alice Douse Elementary School.

Through the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division, Special Victims Unit, discovered that a juvenile victim disclosed that Mr. Makalani Jones, had inappropriate physical contact with the student in the fall of 2022.

This case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, a complaint was returned charging Makalani Jones with Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Child. Justice of the Peace Nicola James issued a warrant for his arrest and on Monday, May 22, 2023, Jones was located and arrested by the United States Marshals Service – Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was transported to the Gaston County Jail where he was processed and will await extradition to Bell County.

We would like to thank the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas, Killeen Independent School District, KISD Police Department, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, the US Marshals Service – Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and the family involved for assisting with this investigation.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (May 1, 2023): May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we want to remind citizens about our Killeen Cares Program. This program is offered to community members who live with a mental challenge or Autism who want to make officers aware of their special need or condition.

The Killeen Cares Program, launched in May of 2022, provides decals to those who qualify, to let officers know that someone they are approaching may be enrolled in the program so they can respond to the situation accordingly. Officers will use their crisis intervention training to assist in recognizing behaviors that are associated with mental illness, Autism or those in crisis.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness or Autism by a licensed mental health provider is eligible. To enroll, a licensed medical professional who is qualified to diagnose individuals in behavioral health, must complete and submit a Killeen Cares form to the Community Engagement Unit with the Killeen Police Department. The unit will review and contact the resident to complete enrollment. Once the resident receives a decal, he or she should place their decal at the bottom left side of their vehicle’s back windshield or in a window at the front of their home.

More than a dozen community members have enrolled in the program, and we would like to ask the citizens of Killeen, to help spread the word about the program. We have worked with organizations such as Central County Services, the Bell County Free Clinic, Autism Behavioral Support, Advent Health, Baylor Scott & White Health, and the Killeen Autism Center. These organizations have licensed medical professionals trained in the realm of behavioral health and are qualified to diagnose individuals. They have referred families and individuals to participate in the Killeen Cares Program.

“Residents enrolled in the program have been very appreciative, thanking us for making them feel safer,” said Sgt. Angela Mathews, who spearheaded the program. “Officers also say the program is helpful and awareness is key.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 43.8 million people in this country, or one in five adults, suffer from mental health issues annually. During Mental Health Awareness Month, this is a great opportunity to remind citizens about this program.

Medical facilities who would like to participate in the program and be added to the list of providers, can contact Sgt. Mathews at amathews@killeentexas.gov or killeencares@killeentexas.gov to be provided the forms for the program.

For more information, citizens can visit the program’s webpage at http://www.killeentexas.gov/KilleenCares.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (March 27, 2023): Killeen Police have identified the female as 47-year-old Jamileth Joana Shapiro.

This case continues to be investigated and there is no additional information at this time.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE RESPOND TO A LATE-NIGHT SHOOTING

Killeen, TX (March 25, 2023): Killeen Police are investigating a domestic incident on Hank Drive.

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 4300 block of Hank Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon the officers arrival, they located a female suffering from a gunshot wound. They immediately started to perform life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. She was transported to the Carl R. Darn all Army Medical Center in critical condition. The female succumbed to her injuries and Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson pronounced her deceased at 1:18 a.m.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the female and the male were involved in a verbal altercation when the female grabbed a butcher knife and was holding it to her side during the argument. The male grabbed a gun and a single shot was fired, striking the female in the chest area. The male called 911 and started CPR until officers arrived and took over.

No arrest has been made at this time.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department