Crime
1 killed after shooting at Dragon Horn Tavern in Albuquerque
The shooting involved a bartender at the establishment.
On the evening of November 27, Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a fatal shooting at the Dragon Horn Tavern, located at 2906 Juan Tabo Boulevard NE.
The incident occurred during the bar’s operating hours, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man who had been fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Early information from an unofficial APD source suggested that the shooting involved the bar’s bartender, though this detail was later clarified as the investigation progressed.
According to the criminal complaint, the shooting followed a confrontation between 30-year-old Jeremy Saiz, a bartender at the tavern, and a patron.
Witnesses reported that a verbal altercation began when the patron invited Saiz to play a game of pool.
The argument escalated, and both men stepped outside the establishment. Shortly after, a single gunshot was heard, and the victim stumbled back into the tavern, uttering the word “bro,” allegedly directed at Saiz, before collapsing.
Saiz fled the scene and went to his home. An off-duty APD officer later contacted detectives, reporting that Saiz had admitted to killing someone at work and expressed a desire to turn himself in. Detectives located Saiz at his residence, placed him under arrest, and searched the vehicle he used to leave the scene. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle.
Charges Filed Against Saiz
Saiz faces multiple charges, including:
- First-degree murder
- Tampering with evidence
- Negligent use of a deadly weapon (while intoxicated)
- Unlawful carrying of a firearm in a liquor establishment
Saiz declined to answer investigators’ questions, instead requesting legal representation.
APD initially stated that the shooting occurred on Tuesday, November 26. However, sources, along with the criminal complaint, confirmed the incident took place on Wednesday, November 27. This clarification underscores the importance of accurate reporting amidst ongoing investigations.
This incident marks Albuquerque’s 122nd homicide of 2024, further spotlighting the city’s struggles with violent crime. The investigation remains active, and more updates are expected as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
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.