Crime
Triple Homicide Suspect 56-year-old Shannon Box is in custody
UPDATE: Shannon Box is in custody.
Authorities in Wilkes County, Georgia, have launched a manhunt for a suspect connected to a triple homicide in Tignall.
The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Shannon Box, remains at large, prompting law enforcement to issue a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alert.
Box is described as a white male standing 5’10” tall and weighing 174 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. While authorities do not have a confirmed description of his current clothing, they believe he may be traveling in a 2002 GMC Sierra pickup truck bearing Georgia license plate number YXA119.
Although his exact destination is unclear, investigators suspect he could be heading toward West Virginia.
Law enforcement agencies in neighboring states have been notified and are coordinating efforts to locate the suspect.
The public is urged to exercise extreme caution. Shannon Box is considered dangerous, and anyone who sees him or the vehicle should avoid approaching and immediately call 911 to report their observations.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have not released additional details regarding the motive or the victims of the homicide. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow updates from local law enforcement.
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.