Crime
Victims Killed in Targeted South Minneapolis Shooting Identified
Minneapolis, MN — A late-night shooting in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis left three people dead and two others seriously injured on Tuesday, according to Minneapolis police.
The incident occurred just before midnight near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue and East 25th Street.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a press conference early Wednesday morning that the initial investigation suggests a “high probability” the shooting was targeted.
“This is an absolutely senseless tragedy,” O’Hara stated. “There are families suffering tonight, grieving, and we must acknowledge the devastating impact this has on our community.”
Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found five adult victims — four inside a vehicle and one male on the sidewalk.
Three individuals — two males and one female — were pronounced dead at the scene.
They have since been identified as:
- Leras Rainey
- Evan Denny, also known as Ramone Day
- Maleice White
Two additional victims — a male and a female — sustained potentially life-threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.
Their current conditions have not been publicly updated.
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Investigators are working to determine the motive and any potential suspects.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the circumstances leading up to the violence.
As police were processing the initial crime scene, additional gunshots were reported approximately five blocks away in the 3000 block of 15th Avenue South.
Officers responded and located evidence of gunfire, though no victims were present.
Shortly thereafter, a person with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound arrived at a nearby hospital.
Authorities are still working to determine whether the two incidents are related.
Chief O’Hara called on the public for assistance. “We need our entire community to stand up and not accept this level of violence,” he said. “When people come forward with information quickly, it significantly increases our ability to deliver justice for victims and their families.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey also addressed the incident, calling the violence “tragic and unacceptable.”
“This senseless violence has no place in our city and detracts from the progress being made,” said spokesperson Aaron Rose. “As we head into summer, Mayor Frey’s top priority is keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe.”
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Minneapolis Police Department or submit tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
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.