Crime
Amber Alert Issued for Two Young Girls Abducted by Suspect in Kings County Homicide
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
HANFORD, CA – The California Highway Patrol has issued an Amber Alert across much of Central and Southern California as authorities search for a man suspected of killing a woman in Kings County and abducting their two young daughters.
The Kings County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, 23, who is accused of fatally shooting the children’s mother on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Hanford, California, before fleeing with their children.
- Suspect:Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz
- Age: 23
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Brown
- Status: Considered armed and dangerous
- Vehicle Details:
- Make & Model: 2020 Hyundai Elantra
- Color: Gray
- License Plate: California 8LZD084
- Last Seen: Leaving the scene in Hanford, possibly fleeing toward Mexico
Missing Children Details
Authorities are searching for Arya Maldonado, 3, and Alana Maldonado, 2, who were taken by the suspect.
- Arya Maldonado (3 years old)
- Height: 3 feet
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Alana Maldonado (2 years old)
- Height: 2 feet 5 inches
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
The Amber Alert covers Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties, and authorities believe the suspect may be heading toward Mexico.
Anyone who sees Maldonado-Cruz, the vehicle, or the missing children is urged to call 911 immediately.
Do not approach the suspect, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
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.