Crime
1 killed after shooting at Azalea Terrace on Fort Eisenhower, Suspect in custody
According to sources, the shooter has been apprehended, and injuries have been reported.
Fort Eisenhower, GA – A tragic shooting incident prompted a lockdown of Fort Eisenhower on Saturday morning, resulting in one fatality and the apprehension of the suspect.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m. within a family housing area on the base.
In immediate response to the incident, Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, commanding general of the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Eisenhower, ordered the closure of all gates to ensure the safety of the base community.
“This morning, at approximately 7:50, I closed the gates of Fort Eisenhower in immediate response to a shooting incident that regrettably claimed the life of one person,” Janovic said. “The victim’s name or association will not be shared until proper next-of-kin notification is completed. The family deserves time and privacy to process this tragedy.”
The individual responsible for the shooting was taken into custody.
The lockdown was lifted, and the gates reopened at 9:45 a.m. While normal operations resumed, several activities were canceled in the aftermath of the incident.
The Department of Army Criminal Investigative Division is leading the investigation, working alongside state and federal authorities.
“All indications suggest this was an isolated incident, and there is no remaining threat to our community,” Janovic emphasized.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Janovic highlighted the Army’s commitment to supporting those affected by the tragedy:
“Our focus at this time is providing support to the victim’s family and assistance to anyone impacted by this tragedy. The safety and well-being of our communities, of our soldiers and their families, remains my top priority.”
The Fort Eisenhower community is encouraged to respect the ongoing investigation, as no additional details are available at this time.
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.