Crime
17-year-old Carizma Fox killed in Waterbury shooting
The Waterbury Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl early Friday morning in what authorities have classified as a homicide.
Officers responded to a report of gunfire in the area of 185 Willow Street at approximately 2:48 a.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered a teenage female suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim, identified as Carizma Fox of Waterbury, was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Preliminary findings indicate that a disturbance involving a group of individuals took place on the street prior to the shooting.
“A disturbance occurred outside involving a group of individuals, which led to the shooting,” said Lt. Ryan Bessette, Public Information Officer for the Waterbury Police Department.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Fox was a student at Enlightenment School.
In response to the tragedy, Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz issued a statement expressing condolences and outlining available support services for students.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the tragic loss of one of our students at Enlightenment School,” said Dr. Schwartz. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”
Grief counseling services were made available Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the school.
Additional mental health resources are being offered through Wellmore Mobile Crisis, available by dialing 211, and the Wellmore Urgent Crisis Center, located at 141 East Main Street, which is open 24/7 for walk-ins.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Waterbury Police Department Detective Bureau at (203) 574-6941 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (203) 755-1234.
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.