Crime
Victim Killed in Shooting Outside Church’s Chicken on East Waco Drive Identified
WACO, TX — The Waco Police Department is actively investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Thursday evening in the parking lot of Church’s Chicken, located on East Waco Drive.
This incident marks the city’s fifth homicide investigation of the year.
Officers responded to the scene at approximately 7:17 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they discovered a 30-year-old man, identified as Jeromy MeechMoon, deceased in the parking lot from apparent gunshot wounds.
A second victim, a 24-year-old man, was also injured in the shooting.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition, according to police.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly identified a motive or any suspects in connection to the shooting.
Crime scene tape cordoned off the area, as police processed evidence and interviewed witnesses late into the evening.
Authorities are urging anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the Waco Police Department or reach out anonymously to Waco Crime Stoppers at 254-753-HELP (4357). Tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become 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.