Crime
False active shooter threat at Watson Chapel High School in Pine Bluff
Currently, there is no confirmation of an active shooter at any school within the Watson Chapel School District.
Initial reports indicate that a student anonymously called 911 claiming there was a shooting in progress, but authorities have found no evidence of any threat.
Law enforcement officials are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Around 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, a female caller reported an active shooter within the school district to the 911 command center.
Law enforcement agencies were immediately dispatched to each campus, initiating lockdown protocols upon arrival.
Within five minutes, local law enforcement and the district’s security director had thoroughly searched and cleared all school buildings. Fortunately, no students or staff were injured, and no signs of an active shooter were found on any of the campuses.
This incident remains under investigation, with district administration and the security director collaborating closely with law enforcement to identify the individual responsible for the false report.
The safety of students and staff is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a secure environment within our schools. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
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.