Crime
Deandra Patterson arrested in Deadly Shooting of 22-Year-Old Micah Ledbetter in Cape Girardeau
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, May 9, 2025, in the 1500 block of Whitener Street.
The Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad confirmed that Deandra Leeann Patterson, 27, of Cape Girardeau, has been formally charged in the case.
According to the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor’s Office, Patterson faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Class A Felony – Murder in the Second Degree
- Felony – Armed Criminal Action
- Class C Felony – Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Patterson is currently being held in custody on a $1 million cash-only bond.
At approximately 12:52 p.m. on Friday, May 9, officers with the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 1500 block of Whitener Street.
Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg.
The injury was deemed non-life-threatening, and the victim was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Shortly afterward, police were notified by an area hospital that a second gunshot victim had arrived at the emergency room by private vehicle.
That victim was identified as Micah Ledbetter, 22, of Cape Girardeau.
Despite emergency medical efforts, Ledbetter succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
The scene was secured, and investigators with the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad were activated to lead the investigation.
Through evidence collection and witness interviews, authorities developed Patterson as a suspect and issued formal charges.
The Major Case Squad continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and encourages anyone with relevant information to contact the Cape Girardeau Police Department:
- Business Line: 573-339-6621
- Anonymous Tip Line: 573-339-6313
Additional updates will be released as the case progresses.
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.