Crime
2 injured in shooting at Lipscomb Community Center in Melbourne, Florida
A tragic shooting incident occurred at the Lipscomb Community Center located on Monroe Street in Melbourne.
Two individuals sustained critical injuries and were immediately transported to a nearby hospital.
The perpetrators responsible for the shooting are currently at large.
“My fiancé and I were on a FaceTime call when we heard the sound of gunshots. I had left my phone outside on a chair while I went inside to check on the soup I was cooking. When I returned, my fiancé was screaming at me to grab the phone and go inside. He told me that he had heard at least 30 shots, possibly from multiple firearms, and that people were screaming. It was a horrifying experience. I’m praying for everyone involved. That park is a popular destination on Saturdays, especially for families who come to watch sports games.”
Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident and have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
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.