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Crime

Man Fatally Shot Outside St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower

Victim was present to watch his 7-year-old son’s youth football game.

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A shocking incident occurred on Saturday morning in the parking lot of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. A man was fatally shot while sitting in his vehicle, triggering a full-scale investigation.

The shooting took place around 8:20 AM in the 13600 block of Bellflower Boulevard.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the unidentified victim was found inside a white Audi that had been reported stolen in Lynwood.

A woman who was sitting in the passenger seat was unharmed.

The incident unfolded during a Pop Warner football game at the high school stadium adjacent to the parking lot. Soccer matches were also scheduled for the day.

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Investigators determined that the victim was there to attend his 8-year-old son’s game, but the child was not with him at the time of the shooting.

Despite the presence of other people in the parking lot, no one else was injured. Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a white sedan that fled southbound on Bellflower Boulevard.

While the driver was not believed to be the shooter, both the driver and passenger are considered persons of interest.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the parking lot.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, especially given its occurrence during a children’s sporting event.

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Some soccer games were canceled, but the Pop Warner football games continued, even for the victim’s son.

A coach expressed deep sorrow for the young boy and his family, noting the devastating impact of such a loss.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.


Crime

Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia

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Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia 1300 block of Walnut Street

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.

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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.”

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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.


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