Crime
Active shooter and subsequent officer involved shooting in Minneapolis
The shooter is in custody at the hospital where his condition has been described as stable.
September 7, 2024, Minneapolis Police, with the assistance from the Hennepin County Sherrif’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies responded to an active shooter situation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described a terrifying incident for dozens of residents that started Friday night.
Starting at approximately 10:50 p.m. on Friday night, multiple 911 callers reported a man walking around with a shotgun near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Av. Officers canvassed the area but were not able to locate the armed man.
Early Saturday morning, at approximately 4:30 a.m., 911 callers reported hearing multiple shots near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Av. These reports included residents of an apartment building at 4052 Minnehaha Av stating they could hear shots inside the building, knocks on their doors, and glass breaking.
Officers arrived and observed bullet holes in the front door to the apartment building and shell casings on the floor. Officers located an open apartment door and observed a shotgun on the floor of the apartment.
Additional shots were heard coming from the north end of the apartment building and officers immediately began evacuating residents. Officers were able to contain the shooter to a north stairwell while they continued to evacuate the building and coordinated SWAT and negotiation resources, all while the shooter periodically fired rounds from an AK-47 style rifle.
At approximately 5:33 a.m., an officer discharged their rifle striking the shooter. Officers were able to enter the stairwell, disarm the shooter of the AK-47 style rifle and a 45-caliber handgun, remove him from the building, and provide immediate medical aid.
The shooter, a 40-year-old man who is a resident of the building, was transported to Hennepin Healthcare Hospital with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. The shooter is in custody at the hospital where his condition has been described as stable.
“This was an incredibly unpredictable, terrifying and rapidly evolving situation,” said Chief O’Hara. “I can’t say how thankful I am for the men and women of the Minneapolis Police and other officers that responded here. I know it must have taken incredible courage and valor to do exactly what they’re trained to do. Thank God, no one else was hurt.”
No other person was injured during this incident.
The Minneapolis Police Bomb Squad responded to evaluate and clear a backpack the shooter had with him in the north stairwell. It contained extra ammunition and loaded magazines. The shooter was wearing a non-ballistic, military style flak vest during the incident.
An MTC bus was requested to the scene for the evacuated residents of the apartment building.
Chief O’Hara requested the BCA to conduct an independent investigation. The BCA will be the source of any additional public information related to this incident.
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.