Crime
Mother Oninda Romelus Arrested After Fatal Shooting Leaves Two Children Dead, Two Critically Injured in Angleton
ANGLETON, Texas — Authorities are investigating a tragic shooting in Brazoria County that left two children dead and two others critically injured early Saturday morning.
According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies were dispatched around 5:00 a.m. to a gas station located on State Highway 288B near FM 521 after receiving reports of a shooting involving multiple victims.
Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle containing four children suffering from gunshot wounds.
Investigators do not believe the shooting occurred at the gas station, and efforts are underway to determine the precise time and location of the incident.
BCSO confirmed that a 13-year-old and a 4-year-old child were pronounced dead at the scene.
An 8-year-old and a 9-year-old were airlifted to a nearby trauma center in critical condition. As of the latest update, both surviving children are expected to recover.
All individuals believed to be involved in the shooting have been detained, and there is no ongoing threat to the public, according to the sheriff’s office.
In an official statement, BCSO said:
“All individuals believed to be involved have been detained, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. While the details are still developing, the loss of two children in such a manner is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected as we continue to learn more about this heartbreaking situation.”
Authorities have identified the adult suspect taken into custody as Oninda Romelus, who investigators confirmed is the mother of the four children.
She was detained without incident and remains in custody as the investigation continues.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is assisting in the investigation at a residence in Montgomery County, believed to be connected to the crime scene.
A news conference regarding the ongoing investigation has been scheduled by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
The investigation remains active, and no additional details have been released at this time.
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.