Crime
Officer Shot in Ambush During Structure Fire Response in Milton
MILTON, VT — A veteran officer with the Milton Police Department was wounded Wednesday evening after gunfire erupted during a public safety response to a structure fire in the area of 78 Main Street, authorities confirmed.
The officer, whose name is being withheld pending notification of family, was transported under police escort by Milton Rescue to University of Vermont Medical Center, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
According to preliminary reports, the officer was shot from behind — possibly in the back — while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Additional reports indicate the officer may have also sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
The incident began around 7:00 p.m. when public safety officials responded to a fire at a residential structure.
During the response, a suspect opened fire, injuring the officer.
The suspect — identified as a 38-year-old male resident of Milton — is reportedly barricaded inside the residence.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the individual is well-known to police and has a history of mental health issues.
Posts on social media reportedly attributed to the suspect mention auditory hallucinations and claims of being under mind control.
The Vermont State Police (VSP) has assumed command of the ongoing situation.
In a statement released Wednesday night, VSP confirmed this is an active emergency response involving multiple agencies, including:
- VSP Major Crime Unit
- Bureau of Criminal Investigations
- Field Force Division
- Tactical Services Unit (SWAT)
- Bomb Squad
- Crisis Negotiation Unit
Local, county, state, and federal law enforcement personnel are on site and responding.
Officials have emphasized that the situation appears contained to the immediate vicinity, but members of the public are urged to avoid the area due to the ongoing law enforcement activity.
Media inquiries are being directed to the Vermont State Police Public Information Office via email.
VSP has requested that the public and media refrain from calling local barracks or dispatch centers to ensure emergency communications remain open.
This remains a fluid and active investigation.
Further updates will be released as verified information 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.