By Emily Jenkins, Editor-in-Chief

Photo Courtesy of Belton Police Department

BELTON – A suspect in a Troy shooting engaged in gunfire with Belton Police and fled into the woods on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at East Sixth Avenue, in Belton.

Authorities arrived at East Sixth Avenue around 10:44 a.m. after Flock Safety alerted them to a vehicle involved in a shooting in Troy, Texas, at 1:21 a.m. 

The suspect is 38-year-old Johnathan Allen Nance-Karl, a white male with brown, balding hair. He is 5 feet, 10 inches and weighs 188 pounds. 

“At this time, we ask those who can stay inside to stay inside… Please avoid the area as part of East Sixth Avenue is currently blocked off. Expect a heavy police presence in the area,” the Belton Police Department said in their press release.

The heavy police presence includes the Temple Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, game wardens, Texas Rangers, Bell County Jail and Department of Public Safety.

East Sixth Avenue is over a mile away from UMHB. Officer Adam Carroll said Campus Police have been in touch with Belton Police and are monitoring the situation. Campus Police do not see any danger to UMHB campus, especially as the suspect and police presence move farther from campus. 

UMHB Campus Police will use Cru Alert to let campus know of any threats, but campus is not expected to be in danger from the suspect. 

Featured Photo by Jack Freedman/ The Bells

Temple Police block off Belton roadway.