Crime
45-year-old Elpidio DeLeon Gonzalez arrested after stabbing two persons with machete near Shiro Grocery Store
Shiro, TX – A violent machete attack on a couple in their Grimes County mobile home Sunday evening ended with the suspect’s arrest more than 250 miles away in Corpus Christi, authorities confirmed.
Incident Overview
Around 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to reports of an assault near Highway 30 in Shiro, a small community situated between Huntsville and College Station.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a male and female victim with severe injuries consistent with a machete attack.
The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Elpidio DeLeon Gonzalez, is alleged to have forcibly entered the mobile home and attacked the pair.
Investigators stated that the female victim is Gonzalez’s ex-girlfriend.
Victim Conditions
Both victims were airlifted to a Houston hospital:
- The male victim remains in critical condition.
- The female victim’s condition has not been publicly disclosed.
Arrest of the Suspect
Following the attack, Gonzalez fled the scene. Law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt, and five hours later, he was apprehended in Corpus Christi, over 250 miles away.
Scene Details and Initial Reports
The attack took place in a mobile home near Shiro Grocery. Early reports described a chaotic scene with emergency crews, law enforcement, and ambulances responding to a “mass stabbing.”
Authorities initially described the weapon as a machete.
Sheriff Don Sowell confirmed that investigators are still working to establish a motive for the brutal assault.
Community Alert and Investigation
Authorities initially urged residents to avoid the area around Highway 30 while emergency responders secured the scene.
Investigators have since completed their initial examination of the site, but details about the events leading up to the attack remain unclear.
Ongoing Investigation
The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. Gonzalez remains in custody, and charges are expected to follow.
For additional information or to report tips, residents are encouraged to contact the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office at 936-873-2151.
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.