Killeen, TX (July 31, 2023): The Killeen Police Department Robbery-Homicide detectives are asking the community’s assistance in locating a person of interest, Amaun Brandell Gilbert, 20, wanted for questioning in the fatal shooting that occurred last night in the 3300 block of E. Rancier

Anyone with information on Gilbert, is urged to contact the Killeen Police Department at (254) 501-8830 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at (254) 526- TIPS (8477).

###

CORRECTED UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE IDENTIFY A PERSON OF INTEREST IN MURDER INVESTIGATION

Killeen, TX (July 31, 2023): Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit have identified a person of interest in this case.

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

###

NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE AN OVERNIGHT SHOOTING

Killeen, TX (July 31, 2023): Killeen Police are investigating the eighth Murder in the City of Killeen for 2023.

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at approximately 8:54 p.m., Killeen Police Officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of E. Rancier in reference to a shots fired call. Upon the officers’ arrival, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Killeen EMS arrived on scene and transported the male to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights; however, the man succumbed to his wound and was pronounced deceased at 9:47 p.m., by Justice of the Peace Nicola James.

The identity of the male has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Detectives are 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 with the Criminal Investigation Division continue to actively investigate this incident and there is no other information at this time.

Assistant Chief of Police Jeff Donohue
Administration Bureau
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 31, 2023) UPDATE

Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit have identified a Person Of Interest in this case.

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

###

NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE AN OVERNIGHT SHOOTING

Killeen, TX (July 31, 2023): Killeen Police are investigating the eighth Murder in the City of Killeen for 2023.

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at approximately 8:54 p.m., Killeen Police Officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of E. Rancier in reference to a shots fired call. Upon the officers’ arrival, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Killeen EMS arrived on scene and transported the male to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights; however, the man succumbed to his wound and was pronounced deceased at 9:47 p.m., by Justice of the Peace Nicola James.

The identity of the male has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Detectives are 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 with the Criminal Investigation Division continue to actively investigate this incident and there is no other information at this time.

Assistant Chief of Police Jeff Donohue
Administration Bureau
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (July 7, 2023): Killeen Police responded to two dog attack incidents during the Fourth of July week.

On July 4, 2023, at approximately 9:11 a.m., officers responded to the area of Jakespoon Drive and Ida Drive in reference to two aggressive dogs that had been chasing people in the neighborhood. Upon the officer’s arrival, they observed two dogs barking and lunging at two males. It was later determined that one of the dogs had attacked an elderly gentleman, tearing at his pant leg and shoe. One of the officers attempted to lure the dogs away from other potential victims by offering water. The dogs initially walked off but then suddenly turned, charging at the officer. That is when the officer drew his duty weapon and discharged it, killing both dogs. The owner of the dogs was contacted. The Animal Control Unit was contacted and will be handling this investigation.

On July 5, 2023, at approximately 5:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Greenwood Avenue in reference to an animal attack call. Upon the officer’s arrival, EMS was on scene treating a male lying on the floor of the residence. Officers were told by a witness, that two dogs pulled the victim off his bicycle onto the ground and were biting him. Other witnesses attempted to assist the victim, but the dogs would turn their aggression towards them and attempt to bite them. Several witnesses reported that the dogs were randomly charging at pedestrians who were walking in the area. The two dogs returned to their residence several times but continued charging at people. Eventually, one male victim was attacked. While officers and EMS personnel were near the ambulance loading the victim for transport, one of the dogs exited the house, charging towards them. Two officers discharged their duty weapons, striking and killing the dog. The victim was transported to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in critical condition where he was subsequently transported to Baylor Scott & White. The second dog was taken into custody by the Animal Control Unit.

The owner of the dogs was not at the residence at the time of the incident, but contact was made.
The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition.

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

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

Killeen, TX (June 27, 2023): On Thursday, June 15, 2023, and Friday, June 16, 2023, members of the Killeen Police Department Organized Crime Unit conducted an undercover operation directed at prostitution and solicitation of prostitution in Killeen. Due to the increase of complaints about Prostitution throughout the City of Killeen, the operation resulted in twelve arrests.

• Monique Davila, 31 years-old, Prostitution
• Diana Arispe, 34 years-old, Prostitution
• Nadia Browder, 38 years-old, Prostitution
• Heaven Sarmiento, 20 years-old, Prostitution
• Elyshia Bullion, 22 years-old, Prostitution
• Lawrence Daniels, 45 years-old, Prostitution
• Jiaya Hunter, 21 years-old, Prostitution
• Stephany Ann Carver, 40 years-old, Prostitution and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon
• Angelo Frazier, 48 years-old, Solicitation of Prostitution
• Jose Luis Facundo, 26 years-old, Solicitation of Prostitution
• Rakeem Jamal Nelson, 31 years-old, Felon in Possession of a Weapon
• Daniel James Estrada, 36 years-old, Solicitation of Prostitution

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department

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