Armed and Dangerous Suspect Still at Large After Officer Shooting in Abilene
UPDATE – December 13th: In Abilene, police found James Wesley Key dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers from the Abilene Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department, DPS, and several officers and equipment from Lubbock SWAT attempted to enter a house where they thought he was. They entered just shortly before 3:00 am and found him dead with a single gunshot wound.
Original Post:
On Wednesday, December 10, 2024, around 9:30 p.m., Abilene Police officers attempted a traffic stop that escalated into a violent encounter. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old James Wesley Key of Abilene, evaded officers and fled to a residence in the 1700 block of Roosevelt Street, north of I-20.
After a brief foot pursuit, Key opened fire on officers, injuring one. The injured officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later released.
In response to the shooting, a large police presence, including Abilene Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas DPS, conducted an extensive search of the area.
Key remains at large and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Authorities are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Abilene Police Department at 325-673-8331 or 911. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Abilene Crime Stoppers at 325-676-8477 (TIPS) or through the P3 app.
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Key’s arrest. To qualify for the reward, tips must be submitted through Abilene Crime Stoppers.
