Crime
Reports of shooting at Joiner Crossing Apartments in Grovetown
Authorities in Grovetown are actively investigating a reported shooting incident at the Joiner Crossing Apartments.
Residents in the area have observed a significant law enforcement presence, with reports indicating that approximately 20 officers are on the scene.
An apartment at the end of one of the buildings has been taped off with yellow crime scene tape, signifying the focus of the investigation.
Police are reportedly searching for a suspect who may still be in the vicinity.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow any instructions or safety advisories issued by local law enforcement.
The situation remains active, and authorities have not yet released details regarding potential injuries or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
Residents are advised to avoid the area to allow law enforcement to conduct their investigation safely and efficiently. Further information will be provided by local officials as it becomes available.
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.