Crime
Armed Individuals at Waterloo Walmart: One Detained, No Injuries Reported
Waterloo, IA — Authorities responded to a large police presence at the Walmart located at 1334 Flammang Drive on Saturday afternoon, following reports of individuals displaying firearms inside the store.
The incident prompted the immediate evacuation of the premises as a precautionary measure.
According to initial witness accounts, two males were reportedly seen running through the store armed with guns. These reports led to an urgent response from the Waterloo Police Department, with officers quickly arriving on scene to secure the area and assess the situation.
Police have since confirmed that no shots were fired and no injuries have been reported in connection to the incident.
As the investigation unfolded, one individual was detained by officers, and at least one firearm was recovered at the scene.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether any criminal activity occurred and the exact nature of the individuals’ actions within the store.
Police are working to determine if the second person mentioned in witness reports was involved or if any additional suspects remain at large.
Officers remained on scene for an extended period to ensure the safety of shoppers and employees and to interview witnesses.
The Waterloo Police Department has not yet released the identity of the detained individual.
Anyone with information or video footage related to the incident is encouraged to contact Waterloo Police.
The store remained closed temporarily following the evacuation but is expected to resume normal operations once the area is deemed secure.
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.