55-Year-Old Harold Newton Keene Arrested After Shooting Inside Austin Central Library

Authorities arrested a 55-year-old man, identified as Harold Newton Keene, following a shooting Saturday afternoon inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and triggered a temporary shelter-in-place in downtown Austin.

The Austin Police Department (APD) said officers responded to reports of gunfire shortly after 12:00 p.m. at the library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street. Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS 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 confirmed that the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. Following a citywide search, Keene was located and arrested in South Austin around 1:25 p.m. The library was evacuated, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted after his apprehension.

Authorities described the incident as isolated, emphasizing that it was not an active shooter situation. Investigators are still working to determine the motive and relationship, if any, between Keene and the victim.

Public records show Keene has an extensive criminal history, including prior arrests for assault, family violence, burglary, terroristic threats, and drug possession. He had also been accused earlier this year of threatening a man with a firearm and assaulting an inmate while in custody.

The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact APD or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.