Crime
Austin Neighborhood Stabbing: 20-year-old Kimari Tousant charged with the murder of Jessica Flagg
She is currently being held without bond and is scheduled for a detention hearing at 2600 S. California on December 29, 2024.
The Chicago Police Department has charged 20-year-old Kimari Tousant, a resident of the 5300 block of W. Chicago Avenue, with the first-degree murder of Jessica Hendricks.
Tousant is also facing a felony count of murder with a strong probability of causing death or injury.
The charges stem from a fatal stabbing incident that occurred in the early hours of December 27, 2024, in the 5300 block of W. Chicago Avenue, located in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side.
According to investigators, the fatal confrontation began at approximately 12:15 a.m. when Jessica Hendricks, 20, approached Kimari Tousant outside a residence.
Preliminary reports indicate that a verbal exchange escalated into a physical altercation during which both women sustained injuries inflicted by a sharp object.
Hendricks was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead as a result of her injuries. Tousant, who sustained multiple lacerations to her arm, was treated at West Suburban Hospital and subsequently taken into police custody.
Tousant was arrested at approximately 3:14 a.m. on December 27, 2024, at a location near the site of the incident.
She was formally charged with:
- One (1) felony count of Murder – First Degree
- One (1) felony count of Murder – Strong Probability of Death/Injury
She is currently being held without bond and is scheduled for a detention hearing at 2600 S. California on December 29, 2024.
Area Four detectives are leading the investigation, working to determine the motive and uncover additional details surrounding the fatal altercation. Authorities have not yet disclosed any further information regarding the events that led to the confrontation.
The Chicago Police Department encourages anyone with information about this incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, using the P3 Tips mobile application, or visiting P3tips.com.
This tragic incident highlights the need for community vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the safety of all residents. The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates will be shared as they become available.
The Chicago Police Department extends its condolences to the family of Jessica Hendricks and reaffirms its commitment to delivering justice. Community members are urged to assist in any way possible as detectives work diligently to resolve this case.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.