Crime
1 Killed, 2 Injured After Shooting Outside Jack and Florence Goldin Sportsplex in Gulfport
Gulfport, MS – Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred during a church-sponsored community gathering in Gulfport on Saturday afternoon, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
The incident, described by officials as stemming from a “domestic dispute gone wrong,” took place shortly after 2:05 p.m. outside the Jack and Florence Goldin Sportsplex, where Empowerment Ministries Christian Center was hosting an outdoor event.
According to preliminary reports, a young woman invited the father of her child to the gathering so he could spend time with their baby.
However, the situation quickly escalated when the father reportedly attempted to leave with the child without consent.
Alarmed by the unfolding tension, two church members — both part of the ministry’s security team — stepped in to defuse the situation and protect those present, including a number of children.
One of the church members noticed the man holding the baby while also armed with a firearm, raising immediate concern.
As the men approached and words were exchanged, the baby’s father backed away and suddenly opened fire, striking one of the church members, a deacon and head of the church’s security team, who fell to the ground.
The gunman then allegedly shot the deacon a second time while he was down. Despite his injuries, the deacon managed to return fire, reportedly striking the shooter.
The second church member was also wounded in the gunfire.
The suspect then attempted to flee the scene with the baby still in his arms.
Witnesses reported that the man tripped and fell, possibly due to his sagging pants, causing both the baby and firearm to fall to the ground.
He quickly recovered, got into a vehicle driven by his own father, and fled the area.
Authorities later located the individuals at Garden Park, where emergency responders were dispatched.
Tragically, the deacon succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second church member was airlifted to Mobile, Alabama, with life-threatening injuries, while another individual was transported via ambulance to a local hospital.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that three individuals have been detained in connection with the shooting.
At least one of the suspects is believed to have been struck by gunfire during the exchange.
The baby was not reported injured.
Investigators have emphasized that the shooting is not connected to Spring Break activities.
The Gulfport Police Department, along with other responding agencies, is continuing its investigation.
Anyone with information or video footage related to the incident is urged to contact Gulfport Police or submit an anonymous tip through local 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.