Crime
“Show Some Human Decency”, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway Urges Reporters to Respect Grieving Families After School Shooting
“None of you are obliged to stay here. You are free to leave at any time. It is absolutely none of your business who was harmed in this incident.”
Following the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway called for compassion and restraint from reporters covering the incident.
Speaking at a press briefing, the mayor emphasized the importance of respecting the privacy of grieving families and urged the media to avoid exploiting their pain.
“Have some human decency,” Mayor Rhodes-Conway implored. “Don’t feed off their suffering. These families need space to grieve, recover, and heal. Leave them alone. Let them process this unimaginable loss without added pressure.”
The mayor reassured the public that authorities would provide accurate and timely updates on the investigation.
However, she stressed that it was not the media’s role to probe into the identities or conditions of those affected.
“We will share good, factual information when we are able,” she continued. “None of you are obliged to stay here. You are free to leave at any time. It is absolutely none of your business who was harmed in this incident.”
Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s appeal highlighted the delicate balance between the public’s right to know and the families’ need for privacy during such a traumatic event. Her remarks served as a reminder to approach such situations with empathy and respect for those directly impacted.
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.