On Monday, December 25, 2023, at around 2:52 p.m., Killeen Police responded to a 911 call reporting a male with a gunshot wound in the 1400 block of N. College Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim with a gunshot wound. Killeen EMS initiated life-saving measures.
Despite their efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson officially pronounced the victim deceased at the scene at 4:28 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered and is set to be conducted at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or videos related to this incident to contact the Killeen Police Department at (254) 501-8800 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at (254) 526-TIPS (8477).
Officials emphasize that this appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the general public.
UPDATE: Through the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have identified and arrested a suspect in this case.
This case was reviewed by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office and a complaint was returned charging 20-year-old Jeremiah Lafredrick Matthews with Manslaughter. Matthews was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Gregory Johnson and set his bond at $500,000. Matthews has been transported to the Bell County Jail.
The next of kin of the 17-year-old juvenile male victim has been notified.
