Crime
Clarke County Shooting: Three Dead, One Critically Injured in Apparent Murder-Suicide
CLARKE COUNTY, Ala. — The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office has released further details regarding a devastating domestic violence incident that left three individuals dead and one child seriously injured in an apparent double homicide-suicide.
In a formal news release, authorities identified the victims as 39-year-old Ashley Danielle Howell and her two children, 8-year-old Jayden Howell and 11-year-old Jayln Howell.
The suspected gunman, 43-year-old Edward Bernard Raine, was also found deceased at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies responded to a home on Mary Aquilla Road in the Whatley community at approximately 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, after receiving a request for a welfare check.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered 11-year-old Jayln Howell suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was immediately transported to Grove Hill Hospital and later airlifted to a trauma center in Mobile, where she remains in serious condition.
Inside the residence, deputies located the bodies of Ashley Howell and her 8-year-old son, Jayden Howell. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
Edward Raine was found deceased nearby, with evidence indicating he died by suicide.
“This heartbreaking act of violence has deeply impacted our community,” a spokesperson for the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family of Ashley Danielle Howell, and we are committed to seeking justice and answers through our ongoing investigation.”
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office is working in collaboration with the Jackson, Grove Hill, and Thomasville police departments, as well as the First Judicial Major Crimes Task Force.
In response to the tragedy, the Clarke County School Board is providing grief counseling and support services to students and staff at the schools where the children attended.
“We ask the community to continue lifting Ashley’s surviving daughter in your prayers as she begins her road to recovery,” the release said. “Additionally, please remember the grieving family and neighbors who are navigating the aftermath of this unimaginable loss.”
The investigation remains active, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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.