On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, the Killeen Police Department received information that a subject had texted a relative and made comments that “one day” he was going to commit a shooting at an unspecified Wal-Mart in Killeen.  An immediate investigation into this threat was launched. Killeen Police detectives interviewed the relative and Killeen Police immediately increased their security presence around Wal-Mart’s in Killeen until the validity of this threat could be assessed.

As the investigation progressed, out of an abundance of caution, a confidential law enforcement sensitive bulletin was sent to other area law enforcement agencies alerting them to the possible threat and to our investigation into it. Additionally, efforts were made to locate the subject who made these comments.

It was eventually determined that the subject who made these comments may not have been able to immediately carry them out, and they may have been made out of frustration. However, the Killeen Police Department is continuing the investigation and is still attempting to locate this subject who is believed to be aware of our attempts to locate him.

The Killeen Police Department is committed to the safety of our community and the citizens who live and work in Killeen. Unfortunately, it is not entirely uncommon for the police department to receive statements such as this. The investigation into the nature of these comments determined that notification to the public was not yet warranted and could unduly alarm the public.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Update: March 7, 2016

The victim has been identified as Bo Gene Swetlik.

Killeen Police investigate an early morning shooting death on Lake Rd.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Lake Rd. after receiving a 911 call on Friday, March 04, 2016, at 6:37am.  Upon the officers’ arrival they located a 33 year old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound.  Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin pronounced the victim deceased at 7:30am and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

Detectives continue to investigate this shooting and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this shooting you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

There is no further information to release at this time. Information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Update: March 4, 2016 4:00pm

Detectives are asking for assistance in identifying the male in this photo.  He was seen in the area of Lake Road where the shooting occurred this morning and the detectives are interested in speaking with him.  If anyone can identify this man they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637.  Text HELP to 274637 for help with the text or text STOP to 274637 to stop the tip.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect involved in this shooting, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Lake Rd. after receiving a 911 call on Friday, March 04, 2016, at 6:37am.  Upon the officers’ arrival they located a 33 year old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound.  Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin pronounced the victim deceased at 7:30am and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

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

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police looking for two males who are wanted for felony offenses.

Detectives are asking the community for assistance in locating two males who are wanted for felony counts of Theft From Person.

The victim was walking in a field area when he was approached by the two males who asked for a lighter.  When the victim told them he did not have one, the suspects then forcibly reached into the victim’s pockets and stole his personal items.  They then fled the area on foot.

This case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging 18 year old Eric David Madden and 17 year old Shyheem Jubar Washington,  each with a felony count of Theft From Person.

Detectives are asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of either or both of the suspects involved in this case, to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com. Do not attempt to apprehend these wanted persons.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to their arrests, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Lake Rd. after receiving a 911 call on Friday, March 04, 2016, at 6:37am.  Upon the officers’ arrival they located a 33 year old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound.  Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin pronounced the victim deceased at 7:30am and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

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

Detectives continue to investigate this shooting and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477) or go online at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this shooting you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

There is no further information to release at this time. Information will be released as it becomes available.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police are asking for the community’s assistance identifying a robbery suspect.

Officers responded to the Stop and Save at 3202 Westcliff Rd. on Sunday, February 21, 2016, just after 9:30 pm, in reference to a robbery.  The suspect walked into the store, demanded all the money in cash register and then fled the area in a white four door car with an undisclosed amount of money. Although the suspect did not display a weapon he led the attendant to believe he was armed. No one was injured during this incident.

During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to obtain security video footage of the robbery suspect entering the store as well as a still photograph of the vehicle he left in.

Detectives are asking anyone who can identify this robbery suspect or may have information about this robbery to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477), go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637.  Text HELP to 274637 for help with the tip or text STOP to 274637 to stop the tip.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Officers responded to a call at Texell Federal Credit Union on Monday, December 19, 2015, just after 10:00 am, in reference to an ATM that was damaged. During the course of the investigation detectives were able to obtain security video footage that shows two males approach the ATM. One of the males acted as the “lookout” while the other male attempted to gain access into the ATM with a pry bar.  The suspects were unable to get the ATM open however they did cause a significant amount of damage leaving the ATM inoperable.

Detectives obtained photographs and are asking anyone who can identify these suspects or may have information about any of them to contact Crime Stoppers at 526-TIPS (8477), go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637.  Text HELP to 274637 for help with the tip or text STOP to 274637 to stop the tip.  All information is confidential and anonymous and if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Tina Amerson
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police involved in an evening pursuit.

Officers were notified of a wanted person on Monday, February 22, 2016, at 6:54pm, at the Academy Sporting Goods Store located at 2500 E. Central Texas Expressway.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a white male was at the Academy Sporting Goods Store attempting to purchase a gun.  A background check was conducted and it revealed that the male had an outstanding warrant.  The Killeen Police were notified and as they were enroute to the call, officers saw a black 2010 Ford Flex leaving the area eastbound on Central Texas Expressway.  Officers attempted to stop the vehicle however the driver refused and a pursuit ensued.  Shortly thereafter, the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the 2000 block of Little Nolan Road, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and driving through two chain link fences and a wooden fence.  The vehicle came to a stop in the back yard of a residence and the two occupants fled on foot.  Officers caught the male that was wanted and took him into custody without incident.  He was transported to the Killeen City Jail.  A search of the perimeter for the second occupant was conducted and officers were not able to locate him.

The suspect had an outstanding felony warrant out of Belton Police Department.  His name will not be released at this time and is awaiting arraignment.

This incident continues to be investigated and information will be released as it becomes available.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen Police were notified of a reported Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child in November of 2015. An investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division and detectives determined that, 21 year old Phillip Miguel Hensley had sexually assaulted the twelve year old victim on numerous occasions beginning on or about July 2013 to November 2015 in the family’s home. The case was sent to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for screening and a complaint was returned charging Phillip Miguel Hensley, with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. On Friday, February 19, 2016, Phillip Miguel Hensley was placed under arrest and taken into custody.  Hensley was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin and set his bond at $100,000.  He is currently in the Bell County Jail.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Can you identify this Forgery suspect?

On February 11, 2016, detectives were notified of a Forgery at an Automated Teller Machine.  They were told that the victim was to receive a reimbursement tuition check from Central Texas College.  The check was mailed to the victim in Fort Knox, KY, but was never received; the victim has not lived in Killeen or Fort Hood.    Approximately 30 days later the victim was told the check had been deposited by a white male at an ATM located at the Bank of America on Trimmier Rd.

Detectives are asking anyone who can identify this Forgery suspect to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477), go online anonymously at www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com or text BELLCO along with the tip to 274637.  Text HELP to 274637 for help with the text or text STOP to 274637 to stop the tip.  Message and Data rates may apply.  All information is anonymous and confidential, if your tip leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case, you could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

Carroll Smith
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department