Crime
Miami-Dade Bus Driver Accused of Fatally Shooting Two Passengers Resigns
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A Miami-Dade Transit bus driver, accused of fatally shooting two passengers during an early morning incident, has officially resigned from his position, county officials confirmed this week.
The incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, is currently under active investigation by Miami Gardens Police in coordination with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
According to police, the fatal shootings took place near the intersection of Northwest 183rd Street and Seventh Avenue, outside a shopping plaza in Miami Gardens.
Authorities say an argument erupted after the bus driver refused to allow a man to board the bus with a Citi Bike, which the driver allegedly suspected was stolen.
The situation escalated when the passenger reportedly reached into a bag, prompting the driver to open fire.
Witnesses reported hearing six gunshots.
Two men were struck — 44-year-old Lonnie Harley, the man attempting to board the bus, and 46-year-old Ejaash Carter, a bystander who was already on board and not believed to be involved in the altercation.
Investigators believe Carter may have been struck by a stray bullet.
Both victims were airlifted in critical condition to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
The bus driver, whose identity has not yet been released due to the ongoing investigation, was initially placed on administrative leave.
County officials stated that the process of termination was initiated shortly after the shooting. However, the driver opted to resign before the termination was finalized.
Miami-Dade Transit policy strictly prohibits all transit employees from carrying firearms while on duty.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works reiterated this, stating, “Drivers are not allowed to be armed.”
The driver was detained for questioning following the incident but has not been formally charged.
Miami Gardens Police and prosecutors are continuing to review the case to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information or video footage of the incident to contact Miami Gardens Police or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
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.