Crime
7-year-old Diellon Daniels killed after shooting on Swan Avenue in Baton Rouge
The two younger siblings sustained serious injuries, with one reportedly undergoing surgery.
Baton Rouge, LA — A horrifying incident unfolded on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 27, when a car carrying a pregnant mother and her three young children was targeted in a shooting.
The attack left one child dead and two others hospitalized, sparking outrage and grief in the local community.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., Baton Rouge Police Department officers and emergency responders were dispatched to the 1000 block of Swan Avenue, near Scenic Highway, following reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, they discovered a Honda Accord that had been riddled with bullets and had crashed into a tree outside a local barbershop.
The driver, a pregnant mother, was unharmed. However, her three young sons, who were passengers in the vehicle, were all struck by gunfire.
Witnesses described the chaos as the shooting occurred. John Willis III, the owner of the barbershop where the vehicle crashed, recounted the terrifying moments.
“You could still hear the shots. Kids screaming, hollering. People running around with blood on them. It all happened so fast,” Willis said.
Investigators recovered approximately 60 shell casings from the scene, evidence of the brutal and indiscriminate nature of the attack.
The three children were rushed to the hospital. Family members later confirmed that the eldest boy, seven-year-old Diellon Daniels, succumbed to his injuries.
The two younger siblings sustained serious injuries, with one reportedly undergoing surgery.
The police have not yet disclosed the ages of the surviving boys.
Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse condemned the shooting as a deliberate and senseless act of violence.
“I hope that people are as mad as I am,” Chief Morse said. “There’s 20 or 30 shell casings in the street. This car was hit about that many times, but it’s not worth it.”
Willis, reflecting on the event, shared a chilling detail. Moments before the shooting, his daughter had asked if she and her friends could play outside.
“I told her no because they didn’t have any adult supervision. Good thing they didn’t go outside. That’s how close to home this hit,” Willis said.
Authorities are actively investigating the case but have not yet identified suspects or a motive. The incident has left the Baton Rouge community grieving and demanding justice for the innocent lives affected.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Baton Rouge Police Department or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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.