Crime
18-Year-Old Joe Anthony Identified as Victim Killed in Sweet 16 Mass Shooting in Southeast Houston
The violence began after an uninvited guest was asked to leave the party.
Houston police are investigating a deadly mass shooting that occurred early Sunday morning during a Sweet 16 celebration in southeast Houston.
The tragic incident left one teenager dead and 15 others injured.
The shooting took place just before 1:00 a.m. in the 6000 block of Cherryhill Street, where a large family gathering was underway.
According to the Houston Police Department, the violence began after an uninvited guest was asked to leave the party.
As he exited the event, the suspect opened fire.
Police say several individuals at the scene returned gunfire, creating a chaotic and dangerous situation.
Officers responding to the scene reported hearing multiple gunshots as they arrived. Victims were found in various locations surrounding the home, and reports of additional gunfire continued to come in as emergency crews secured the area.
In an effort to safely provide aid, officers coordinated a plan to move injured victims to a nearby Jack in the Box on Long Street near Loop 610, where Houston Fire Department personnel could reach and treat them more efficiently.
Some of the wounded were transported by ambulance, while others were taken to local hospitals by private vehicles.
Among those injured, the victims ranged in age from 16 to 40 years old. As of now, police have not released specific details about their conditions.
The sole fatality has been identified as 18-year-old Joe Anthony, affectionately known as “Joey” to family and friends.
His loved ones describe him as the heart and soul of every room he entered—whether as a friend or a playful headache, his presence was always cherished. Joey had just graduated from high school last year and recently completed welding school. He had a promising career ahead, having secured a job he was scheduled to start this week.
Joey, the second oldest of seven brothers, was thrilled to be welcoming the family’s first baby girl as a proud first-time uncle. His family says he had a heart of gold and was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. He is already missed beyond words.
As the investigation continues, multiple individuals have been detained for questioning. However, no suspects have been officially arrested or identified at this time.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or who may have been present at the time of the shooting to come forward.
Please contact the HPD Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).
The community is encouraged to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
A fundraiser effort has also been initiated to support Joey’s family in the wake of this devastating 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.