Killeen Police Investigate a Hit and Run Fatality
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 Police are Conducting a Death Investigation
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 Police Investigate a Criminal Homicide
Killeen, TX (June 6, 2023): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of a 23-year-old female.
On Monday, May 29, 2023, at approximately 4:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Benttree Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a female suffering from a gunshot wound. She was immediately airlifted to Baylor Scott & White in critical condition.
The victim, Brook Elaine Ball, succumbed to her injuries on Monday, June 5, 2023, and was pronounced deceased by the Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey at 4:32 p.m.
This is the fifth Murder for the City of Killeen in 2023.
No arrests have been made.
Detectives believe this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.
The department is 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 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 Investigate a Fatality on Rosewood
Killeen, TX (June 4, 2023): A 23-year-old male is deceased after a multi-vehicle crash.
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, at approximately 4:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Rosewood Drive and E. Central Texas Expressway in reference to in reference to a major crash involving a pinned operator. Upon the officers’ arrival, a driver and passenger of a vehicle involved were both transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a gray Dodge Challenger was traveling eastbound on E. Central Texas Expressway at a high rate of speed approaching the intersection of Rosewood Drive on the inside turn-left only lane. Upon entering the intersection, the vehicle disregarded the turn marks at the intersection and struck a red Dodge Durango that was attempting to make a left turn at the intersection. After the impact, the Dodge Challenger struck a traffic light pole and the Dodge Durango continued across the center median, striking a semi-truck trailer, that was attempting to turn onto E. Central Texas Expressway from the turn-around. Both occupants of the Dodge Challenger were found to not be wearing seatbelts and suffered severe injuries. The driver was transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights in critical condition and the female passenger was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White also in critical condition.
The driver, Daurick Romel Scott Jr., succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Justice of Peace Gregory Johnson at 4:44 p.m.
No other injuries reported on scene.
Investigators with the Traffic Unit continue to investigate this fatality and there is no other information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Investigate a Fatality on Stan Schlueter
Killeen, TX (May 31, 2023): A 41-year-old is deceased after a single car crash.
On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at approximately 10:14 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of W. Stan Schlueter Loop in reference to a single vehicle roll-over crash. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located a female lying along the shoulder of the roadway. She was immediately airlifted to Baylor Scott & White in critical condition.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a black Lexus NX 350 was traveling westbound on W. Stan Schlueter Loop at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle, off the roadway, striking landscape fixtures causing the vehicle to roll. The driver was found was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.
The victim, Amanda Elizabeth Love, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Justice of Peace Cliff Coleman at the hospital.
Investigators with the Traffic Unit continue to investigate this fatality and there is no additional information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Conducts a Railroad Detail
Killeen, TX (May 26, 2023): Killeen Police Traffic Unit partners with BNSF Police Department to enforce and educate the public about safety around the railroad tracks.
On Thursday, May 25, 2023, both agencies conducted a train detail at SH-195 and the railroad tracks to bring awareness to the community about railroad crossing safety and to enforce the Texas Transportation Code laws near this intersection. Vehicles frequently stop on the tracks or too close to them when the red light at SH-195 and Veterans Memorial Blvd. is activated. Upon illumination of the crossing signal, vehicles are required by law to stop immediately at the designated point.
Between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., the following violations occurred in the officer’s presence at this location.
• 19 citations were issued for Stopping, Standing, or Parking Prohibited in Certain Places.
• 1 arrest was made for an outstanding warrant
A total of 19 citations were issued, a significant decrease from previous details showing a much better compliance rate with the state law.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Arrest Four Men During Online Predator Sting
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 Police Charge and Arrest Former KISD Teacher
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 Police Investigate a Morning Fatality
Killeen, TX (May 18, 2023): A 46-year-old male is deceased from a two-vehicle collision.
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, at approximately 8:14 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of SH-195 and Chaparral Road in reference to a crash. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a silver car and a pickup truck both with major damage.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 4-door silver Toyota car was stopped for the red light in the inside northbound lane on SH-195. When a white Chevy pickup truck with trailer traveling northbound in the inside lane, struck the Toyota in the rear. The driver of the Toyota was transported to AdventHealth Central Texas in critical condition. The driver of the Chevy was transported to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights with minor injuries.
The driver of the Toyota succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson at 9:08 a.m. The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Investigators with the Traffic Unit continue to investigate this fatality and there is no other information at this time.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
Killeen Police Identify and Arrest Murder Suspect
Killeen, TX (May 15, 2023): Through the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division identified a suspect. The case was presented to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint for Murder was returned charging 19-year-old Donovan Lee Mann.
At approximately 9:57 p.m., the U.S. Marshals – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Mann on the Murder warrant without incident. He was transported to the Bell County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing and no other information will be released.
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UPDATE NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE IDENTIFIES MURDER VICTIM
Killeen, TX (May 9, 2023): The victim has been identified as Eugene Sonny Brownlow.
CORRECTION: The age of the victim is 16.
The investigation is ongoing and at this time no other information will be released.
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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A MURDER ON ZEPHYR
Killeen, TX (May 8, 2023): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the death of a 15-year-old male juvenile.
On Monday, May 8, 2023, at approximately 10:03 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3600 block of Zephyr Road in reference to a shots fired call. While officers were in route, they were told that a shooting victim was on Becker Drive. Officers arrived at the Star Mart Convenience Store and located shell casings in the parking lot.
At approximately 10:07 a.m., additional officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Becker Drive, and they located three male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital, a second to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, and a third to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. Two victims are currently listed in stable condition. The third victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Office of Justice of the Peace Nicola James at 12:40 p.m.
The name of the victim has been withheld pending notification of next of kin.
This is the fourth Murder for the City of Killeen in 2023.
No arrest has been made.
The department is asking anyone who may have seen anything or has information about the 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 at this time no other information will be released.
Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department
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