Crime
Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray Mugshot released
A bond hearing for Gray is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Barrow County Courthouse.
The mugshot of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspect in the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, has been released to the public.
Gray opened fire at the school yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two teachers and two students. Nine others were injured.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Gray, charging him with four counts of felony murder. The warrants are identical except for the victim’s name.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School, is the suspect in the tragic shooting that occurred at the school.
Gray has been charged with four counts of felony murder, and additional charges are expected. He is currently in custody.
Two of the victims of the shooting were students, while the other two were teachers. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
The FBI revealed that Gray was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 after allegedly posting online threats containing images of guns.
The threats included plans to commit a school shooting at an unspecified location and time. At the time, Gray was 13 years old.
Gray’s father stated that although there were hunting guns in their home, his son did not have unsupervised access to them. The boy also denied making the online threats.
A bond hearing for Gray is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Barrow County Courthouse.
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.