Crime
Family Seeks Support Following Tragic Loss of 30-Year-Old Laronda Gilmore
Cleveland, OH – The family of 30-year-old Laronda Gilmore is seeking community support following her tragic passing.
According to Daylan Smith, a family spokesperson, Laronda was found deceased on February 22, 2025, inside an abandoned home in the Cleveland area.
At this time, the cause of death remains undetermined, as an autopsy is currently underway.
“This devastating loss has placed an immense emotional and financial burden on our family,” Smith shared. “We want to give Laronda the proper farewell she deserves, but we are struggling with the unexpected costs.”
Described as someone with a kind and giving spirit, Laronda was known for her selflessness and willingness to help others, even when she had little to give.
However, she did not have life insurance, leaving her family to bear the financial challenges of her final arrangements.
The family is now asking for donations to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. “No contribution is too small or too big,” Smith expressed. “We appreciate any support during this heartbreaking time.”
Those willing to assist can make donations through the family’s designated fundraising platform or contact them directly for more information.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to those offering prayers, condolences, and support as they navigate this profound loss.
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.