Crime
18-year-old killed in Champaign shooting
Champaign, IL – The Champaign Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old male on Thursday afternoon.
According to officials, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Cynthia Drive and Sandra Street following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they located the teenager suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid before the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Initial findings suggest that the victim was seated in a vehicle with several friends when an unknown individual approached and opened fire.
The victim’s friends reportedly fled the scene after the shooting. At this time, the identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown.
Champaign Police officers are actively canvassing the area for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to piece together the events leading up to the incident.
The Champaign Police Department is urging residents in the area with outdoor security cameras to review their footage and contact investigators if any relevant information is captured.
Authorities are also asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has any information about the incident to come forward.
- Champaign Police Department Contact: 217-351-4545
- Champaign County Crime Stoppers: 217-373-8477 (anonymous tips accepted)
This tragic loss marks yet another instance of gun violence affecting the community. Law enforcement officials are committed to pursuing all leads to identify the perpetrator and hold them accountable.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities as the investigation continues.
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.