Crime
41-year-old Saul Bal arrested and charged for allegedly shooting two Phoenix police officers
The shooting occurred around 6:25 p.m. in the area of Banner Medical Center.
A man accused of shooting and critically injuring two Phoenix police officers on Tuesday night has been arrested.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Saul Bal, was apprehended following a brief chase near 16th Street and McDowell Road.
The shooting occurred around 6:25 p.m. in the area of Banner Medical Center.
Police officers observed Bal breaking into a vehicle and attempted to detain him. Bal fled on foot and, during the pursuit, shot at the officers, striking both of them.
He was subsequently arrested nearby.
The injured officers were immediately transported to the hospital. One officer remains in critical condition, while the other is in stable condition.
Mayor Kate Gallego expressed her support for the officers and their families, noting that the proximity to Banner Medical Center provided swift medical attention.
Phoenix Police Chief Mike Sullivan condemned the shooting, highlighting the increasing frequency of officer-involved shootings in the city.
He stated that this was the 11th incident of its kind this year. Bal faces two attempted murder charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Crime
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.