Crime
Seven San Antonio Police Officers Shot, Suspect Dead Following Standoff at Sonterra Heights apartment
A violent confrontation at the Sonterra Heights apartment complex on San Antonio’s Far North Side late Wednesday night resulted in seven police officers being shot and the suspect found dead inside his apartment, authorities confirmed.
The incident began just before 9 p.m. when an officer responded to a report of a potential suicide at the complex located off Stone Oak Parkway near North Loop 1604 East.
According to San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, the responding officer was met with gunfire upon arrival.
As additional officers arrived on the scene, six more were shot by the suspect, bringing the total number of wounded officers to seven.
All officers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Chief McManus reported that four officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the conditions of the remaining three have not yet been disclosed.
Following the initial gunfire, the suspect barricaded himself inside an apartment, prompting the deployment of the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team.
Authorities worked swiftly to evacuate residents who could safely leave the premises, while others were instructed to remain inside their apartments for their safety.
After an hours-long standoff, SWAT officers breached the apartment around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, where they discovered the suspect deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Chief McManus stated that it remains unclear whether the fatal shot was self-inflicted or the result of return fire from officers.
The suspect, described as a male in his 40s, had a criminal record that included three prior arrests—two for assault and one for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
At the time of the shooting, he was out on bond related to the DWI charge.
The San Antonio Police Department continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the suspect’s motives and whether any additional factors contributed to the deadly encounter.
Chief McManus expressed gratitude to the officers involved and emphasized the dangers law enforcement officers face daily. “This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have had even more tragic consequences,” he said.
Further updates on the conditions of the injured officers and additional details about the investigation will be released as they become 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.