Crime
2 teenagers dead, others wounded in shooting at pop-up party in Houston makeshift club
The suspect reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.
Houston, Texas – A late-night shooting at a pop-up party in a makeshift club on Saturday left two teenagers dead and three others injured, Houston police reported.
The shooting occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. in the 10100 block of Jensen Drive.
According to Assistant Police Chief Luis Menendez-Sierra, Houston Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire at a makeshift club hosting a pop-up party.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene as a large crowd of people fled the location. Several individuals were found at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds.
A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 16-year-old girl, identified as A’zirya, was transported to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Three additional victims were injured in the shooting:
- A 13-year-old girl remains hospitalized in critical condition.
- A 19-year-old woman, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, sought medical attention on her own at a local hospital.
- The age and condition of the fifth victim remain unclear at this time.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect or provided information on a potential suspect vehicle.
The motive behind the shooting is currently unknown, and investigators are working to gather additional evidence.
The Houston Police Department has asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
The tragic incident has shaken the local community, prompting calls for answers and justice for the victims. “This senseless violence cost two young lives and injured others who were simply trying to enjoy a social gathering,” said Assistant Chief Menendez-Sierra during a press briefing.
The Houston Police Department is urging witnesses or anyone with information about the shooting to contact their homicide division at 713-308-3600 or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
The investigation remains active, and police are working diligently to bring the perpetrator to justice.
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.