On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at approximately 9:09 p.m., a 911 call was received concerning an armed subject. Officers were dispatched at 9:12 p.m. to the location, with the first responding officer arriving at 9:17 p.m. The officer observed a male with a backpack walking in circles and chose to wait for backup due to signs of potential mental distress. The second officer arrived at 9:24 p.m.
When officers asked the male to put down his backpack, he retrieved a black semi-automatic weapon and aimed it upward and outward. Fearing the male was about to shoot, one officer discharged his duty weapon. It is currently unclear if the officer's shot struck the male, as an autopsy is pending. The male then directed the weapon towards himself, resulting in his death.
The officer who discharged his weapon, a 2-year veteran, has been placed on administrative leave as per protocol. The second officer involved is a 16-year veteran.
The Killeen Police Department Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an internal investigation, while the Criminal Investigation Division will handle the criminal investigation.
The name of the deceased, a 25-year-old male, will not be released out of respect for his family.
The investigation remains active.
