Crime
3 dead, 6 injured in mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison
Police say juvenile shooter among the dead.
Madison, WI – Madison Police have issued a correction regarding the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.
Earlier reports indicated five fatalities; however, authorities have now confirmed that three individuals, including the suspected shooter, are deceased.
Additionally, six others sustained injuries in the incident.
The shooting occurred just before 11 a.m. at the private school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes provided updated details during a press briefing, noting that one of the deceased victims is a juvenile who is also believed to be the shooter.
Responding officers discovered multiple victims with gunshot wounds upon arrival.
Tragically, the suspected shooter was found deceased at the scene. At least one other fatality was also identified as a juvenile.
Authorities are withholding additional information about the victims until family notifications are complete. “
Our thoughts are with the affected families during this difficult time,” Chief Barnes stated, emphasizing the sensitivity of the situation.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement is working diligently to determine the sequence of events and motives behind the attack.
“More information will be released as it becomes available. For now, we urge residents to avoid the area while our officers and investigators process the scene,” Madison Police said in a statement.
The shooting has prompted an extensive response from local and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which is assisting Madison Police and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
As a precaution, roads around the school, including East Buckeye Road, remain closed. Madison Police have designated the SSM Health/Dean Clinic on Stoughton Road as a reunification point for families.
Abundant Life Christian School, located in Madison, serves approximately 390 students across all grade levels, according to its website. This week was intended to be the final one before the school closed for the Christmas holiday.
“We are committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring the safety of our community,” said Chief Barnes. “Our officers are working tirelessly to provide answers and support to those impacted by this tragedy.”
Residents and families affected by the event are encouraged to reach out to law enforcement with any information that may assist the investigation. Madison Police ask anyone with relevant details to come forward as they continue their efforts to provide clarity and justice in the aftermath of this devastating incident.
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.