Crime
Multiple people injured after vehicle crashes into JC Penney at Killeen Mall in Texas, suspect shot dead
The exact number of injured individuals is still being determined.
Killeen, TX – A police pursuit that began in Belton ended in tragedy at the Killeen Mall on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
The chase culminated in a fatal officer-involved shooting and multiple injuries to bystanders, according to authorities.
The incident unfolded when a high-speed chase initiated in Belton reached its conclusion at the southern entrance of the Killeen Mall, near the JCPenney store.
According to initial reports, the suspect drove the vehicle into the mall, causing significant damage and reportedly injuring several bystanders.
The exact number of injured individuals is still being determined.
Law enforcement personnel, including officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Killeen Police Department, confronted the suspect at the scene.
During the confrontation, a DPS trooper discharged their firearm, fatally wounding the suspect.
The identity of the suspect has not been disclosed, and authorities are actively investigating the series of events that led to this outcome.
Emergency responders, including the Killeen Fire Department, have been assisting at the scene.
The area has been cordoned off as officials conduct a joint investigation into the actions of the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and shooting.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid the vicinity of the Killeen Mall while they process the scene and gather evidence.
Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Killeen Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Crime
Indiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Assassinate President Trump in TikTok Videos
A 23-year-old Indiana man has been arrested and charged with making threats against former President Donald Trump after allegedly posting multiple threatening videos on TikTok, federal authorities announced Thursday.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Douglas Thrams posted a series of videos between Monday—when Trump was inaugurated—and Wednesday, in which he allegedly threatened anti-government violence and called for the assassination of the former president.
In one of the videos cited in the complaint, Thrams reportedly stated, “Every U.S. government building needs to be bombed immediately.” He further escalated his rhetoric by saying, “He [Trump] needs to be assassinated, and this time, don’t… miss,” using explicit language.
Authorities noted that Thrams’ statements were particularly concerning in light of previous assassination attempts targeting Trump, including an incident last year at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the former president sustained a minor injury to his ear.
Additionally, an FBI affidavit revealed that in another video, Thrams was seen holding a rifle and tapping it, an action investigators interpreted as an implied threat.
Thrams was taken into custody on Thursday and has been charged with “interstate communications with a threat to injure,” a federal offense.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed any further potential threats. Thrams is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days.