UPDATE – July 5, 2016

Killeen Police have identified the female victim as 22 year old Erica Denise Townsend – Whitfield of Killeen; she was an employee of the store.  The male suspect has been identified as her estranged husband 23 year old Angelo Myshun Townsend-Whitfield of Chicago, Illinois; he was an active duty Marine stationed in California. 

July 3, 2016

Killeen Police investigate a Murder/Suicide on Watercrest Road.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Dollar General Store located at 4102 Watercrest Rd. on Sunday, July 3, 2016, at 1:11pm.   Officers arrived to find a male and a female deceased inside the store.  The preliminary investigation revealed that the male entered the store, found the female and shot her; he then turned the gun on himself and took his life.  Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced the female deceased at 1:50pm and the male was pronounced deceased at 1:51pm.

There were employees and customers inside the store at the time of this incident however, there were no threats made to anyone and there were no other injuries during this incident.

Detectives with the Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continue to investigate this incident; information will be released when it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police investigate what appears to be a Murder/Suicide on Watercrest Road.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Dollar General Store located at 4102 Watercrest Rd. on Sunday, July 3, 2016, at 1:11pm.   Officers arrived to find a male and a female deceased inside the store.  The preliminary investigation revealed that the male entered the store, found the female and shot her; he then turned the gun on himself and took his life.  Justice of the Peace Bill Cooke pronounced the female deceased at 1:50pm and the male was pronounced deceased at 1:51pm; he also ordered autopsies to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

There were employees and customers inside the store at the time of this incident however, there were no threats made to anyone and there were no other injuries during this incident.

The names of male and female have been withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

Detectives with the Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continue to investigate this incident; information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police continue to look for a reported runaway.

Rubie Matos has been gone from her Killeen residence since June 24, 2016 and on June 28, 2016, she was seen by her mother in Killeen and ran from her.  As Rubie was running away, she jumped over a fence and injured her ankle; she may be in need of medical attention.  Rubie is a 16 year old Hispanic female, 5’6” tall and weighs 140 pounds.  Her skin complexion is light, has dyed black hair and wears contacts but sometimes wears glasses.

If anyone knows of Rubie’s whereabouts, they are asked to contact the Killeen Police Department at 254-501-8800 or Rubie’s mother at 254-813-4905.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department would like to remind residents of the Fourth of July holiday and with it comes the responsibility of families to celebrate safely and legally.

Fireworks are illegal to discharge within city limits and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, store, offer for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks within the corporate limits of the city and within the area immediately adjacent and contiguous to the city limits and extending outside the city limits for a distance of five thousand (5,000) feet, unless such area is within the corporate limits of another municipality.  Any person in violation may be charged with a class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $2,000.00.

The department will be increasing the number of officers patrolling the streets of Killeen during this holiday.   The officers will be focusing on violators, speeders and locating and arresting impaired drivers who are presenting a hazardous risk.  Drivers are encouraged to observe the posted speed limits and to avoid drinking and driving for their own safety and the safety of others.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police are looking for a reported runaway who may possibly be injured and need medical attention.

Rubie Matos is a 16 year old Hispanic female with a light complexion and dyed black hair.  She wears contacts but sometimes wears glasses.  She is 5’6” tall and weighs 140 pounds.  She has been gone from her residence in Killeen since June 24, 2016.  On June 28, 2016, she was seen by her mother in Killeen and ran from her, as she was running away she jumped over a fence and injured her ankle; her mother has heard from people that she needs medical attention.

If anyone knows of Rubie’s whereabouts, they are asked to contact the Killeen Police Department at 254-501-8800 or Rubie’s mother at 254-813-4905.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

The Killeen Police Department has been investigating numerous incidents involving shots fired recently in different areas of the city.    It has been portrayed that all the recent incidents that have occurred are related; that information is incorrect.  The department has increased the patrols in the areas that are known to be affected.  Some of these incidents are related to ongoing criminal activity and the victims have been specifically targeted.  Of those incidents that have been linked, the detectives are gaining information about the people involved and they have made numerous felony and misdemeanor arrests.   The officers have recovered narcotics, taken several weapons off the streets and executed several search warrants.  An obstacle the department has to deal with while conducting its investigation, is the lack of cooperation from some of the victims, suspects and witnesses.  This often impedes the detective’s investigation and causes a delay in arresting the person or persons responsible for the crime.  The death that occurred on Buckley Drive on June 6, 2016, is not related to any of these recent incidents.  The person, who was taken into custody, was released by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, pending further investigation.  Other incidents that occurred were employment related, domestic violence related and drug related.   All of the incidents are under investigation therefore, no further information will be released at this time.

The department is working diligently to solve these crimes; detectives are following any leads given.  The Killeen Police Department is working with federal, state and local agencies, by sharing information and gathering intelligence.

The number one priority of the Killeen Police Department is the safety of the citizens.  Crime is not only a police problem but a community problem.  If the citizens unite with the police department, we can work together to make a safer community.   Citizens are asked to be vigilant of your surroundings, if you see something out of the ordinary or suspicious in nature, contact the Killeen Police Department at 254-501-8800.  Call 911 immediately if you see a crime in progress.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police Investigate an afternoon Deadly Conduct on Veteran’s Memorial Blvd.

Officers responded to the 1300 block of E. Veteran’s Memorial Blvd on Monday, June 27, 2016, just before 4:30pm, after receiving a 911 call telling them a black male and a black female shot at the employees inside the shop.  As the officers were responding to the area, they were told the suspects fled in a gold Ford Crown Victoria and they were last seen traveling east on VMB.

An officer located a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle and was occupied by a black male and a black female but after further investigation, it was determined this was not the suspects involved in this incident.  The employees told the officers that the black male entered A Personal Touch Detailing asking for a male.  When the employees told him the male was not there he became upset, went to his vehicle and pulled out a handgun and shot at both employees.  The black male and the black female entered the gold Ford and as they were leaving, the female fired one shot at the employee.  No one was injured during this incident.

The officers searched the area but were unable to locate the vehicle at the time.  At approximately 6:00pm, officers responded to the 1800 block of Cedarhill in reference to shots fired.  The caller advised a male in a gold Ford Crown Victoria shot at an apartment building and a vehicle.  The suspect fled the scene before officers’ arrival.  No one was injured during this incident.

The detectives believe both incidents are involving the same suspect.  After further investigation it has been determined these two incidents are not related to any other recent shots fired incidents.

These cases continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation charge man who fled with federal charges.

On June 22, 2016, at approximately 11:22 p.m., detectives were conducting further investigation into the recent gang related incidents. They identified a vehicle of interest and had patrol officers attempt to stop the vehicle near the intersection of Old FM 440 and Elms Road. The driver of the vehicle fled from the officers and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit led through Killeen and into Harker Heights where the vehicle stopped on Beaver Trail.  The driver attempted to flee on foot and was caught after a short foot chase. A handgun and narcotics were recovered during the investigation.   The driver was taken into custody and transported to Killeen City Jail.   The Killeen Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, filed federal charges in this incident.

On Friday, June 24, 2016, 28 year old  Tremayne Darius Voelker, was transported to the Federal Courthouse in Waco, where he went before the Federal Magistrate and was arraigned on the charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Detectives continue to investigate this case and further federal charges are pending. Information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department